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Category: Environment

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Leads Colleagues in Calling for Reinstatement of Inspectors General Fired by President Trump

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, led a group of 38 colleagues in a letter to President Trump, strongly condemning the President’s recent decision to remove Inspectors General (IGs) from at least 18 government agencies, and demanding their immediate reinstatement. The IGs who were removed included those overseeing the Departments of Defense, State, Education, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Energy, Commerce, Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Personnel Management, the Small Business Administration, and the Social Security Administration, and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. In the letter, the senators assert that President Trump’s actions violated the law and threaten the independence of these non-partisan watchdogs. Peters helped lead the Inspector General Independence and Empowerment Act, which was signed into law in 2022 as part of the FY 2023 national defense bill, to require a President to provide a 30-day notice and substantive reasons for removal in writing to Congress before an Inspector General can be removed.  
    “Inspectors General are responsible for providing independent oversight of federal programs by working to root out waste, fraud, and abuse and protect taxpayer dollars – oversight our federal agencies desperately need,” the senators wrote. “The federal government and the American people count on these officials to operate in a professional and non-partisan way to hold our government accountable—regardless of who is in power.  Without strong, qualified, and independent officials to lead these critical efforts, the Administration risks wasting taxpayer dollars, and allowing fraud and misconduct to go unchecked.”  
    “While the President has the authority to remove Inspectors General from office, Congress has established clear requirements to ensure such removals are transparent and are not politicized,” wrote the senators. “With respect to your firings Friday night, Congress has not received either the mandatory 30-day notice or a rationale for their removal.  Because your actions violated the law, these IGs should be reinstated immediately, until such time as you have provided in writing ‘the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons’ for each of the affected Inspectors General and the 30-day notice period has expired.”    
    In addition to Peters, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Maria Cantwell (D-WA),  Patty Murray (D-WA),  Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and John Fetterman (D-PA). 
    The full text of the letter can be found here and below.  
    Dear Mr. President,  
    Your decision Friday evening to remove Inspectors General (IGs) from at least 18 offices across government—including those overseeing the Departments of Defense, State, Education, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Energy, Commerce, Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Personnel Management, the Small Business Administration, and the Social Security Administration, as well as the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction—does not comply with current law and could do lasting harm to IG independence.  These officials, which include those appointed by Presidents of both parties, including many during your first Administration, collectively conduct oversight of trillions of dollars of federal spending and the conduct of millions of federal employees.  Removing these non-partisan watchdogs without providing a substantive and non-political reason is not lawful, and undermines their independence, jeopardizing their critical mission to identify and root out waste, fraud, and abuse within federal programs. 
    Inspectors General are responsible for providing independent oversight of federal programs by working to root out waste, fraud, and abuse and protect taxpayer dollars – oversight our federal agencies desperately need.  They play a key role in improving government efficiency and effectiveness and have helped identify and recover billions of taxpayer dollars.  IG independence is the foundation of this work, and IGs must be free of political influence so that they can carry out their important mission with integrity and credibility.  The federal government and the American people count on these officials to operate in a professional and non-partisan way to hold our government accountable—regardless of who is in power.  Without strong, qualified, and independent officials to lead these critical efforts, the Administration risks wasting taxpayer dollars, and allowing fraud and misconduct to go unchecked. For example, just this week the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued an unlawful memo directing agencies to pause nearly all federal grants and loans, which significantly disrupts the administration of over a trillion dollars of critical assistance to communities, businesses, and organizations across the country.  It is especially vital to have independent watchdogs at each of these agencies to conduct oversight of the impacts of this unconstitutional and unprecedented directive.     
    While the President has the authority to remove Inspectors General from office, Congress has established clear requirements to ensure such removals are transparent and are not politicized.  The law requires that the President provide a written 30-day notice to both Houses of Congress and include “the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons for any such removal or transfer.” With respect to your firings Friday night, Congress has not received either the mandatory 30-day notice or a rationale for their removal.  Because your actions violated the law, these Inspectors General should be reinstated immediately, until such time as you have provided in writing “the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons” for each of the affected Inspectors General and the 30-day notice period has expired.   
    Lastly, if you believe it is necessary to place any of the affected IGs on administrative leave before the 30-day notice period has ended, the law requires that you submit a separate notification to Congress explaining how the IG presents a threat as defined in the Administrative Leave Act. 
    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: IICA ORGANIZES A CUSTOMIZED THREE DAYS TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME “ESG FOR BOARD MEMBERS” AT THE UNITED NATIONS REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND PACIFIC, BANGKOK, THAILAND

    Source: Government of India (2)

    IICA ORGANIZES A CUSTOMIZED THREE DAYS TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME “ESG FOR BOARD MEMBERS” AT THE UNITED NATIONS REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND PACIFIC, BANGKOK, THAILAND

    PROGRAMME COVERED KEY ASPECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL-SOCIAL-GOVERNANCE (ESG) CONSIDERATIONS IN BOARD DECISION MAKING AND IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON BOARD’S ACCOUNTABILITY

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 9:53PM by PIB Delhi

    The School of Business Environment, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) organized a customized three days residential training and certification programme “ESG for Board Members” from Jan 30 – Feb 01 2025 at the United Nations Regional Office for Asia and Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand. This initiative is inspired by Dr. Ajay Bhushan Prasad Pandey, Director General & CEO, IICA conveying the importance of leadership buy-in for achieving Net-Zero and other relevant sustainability targets by embedding ESG in the corporate strategy aligned with global expectations from multiple stakeholders. The programme was inaugurated by Mr. Gerd Trogemann, Regional Manager, Global Policy Network and Regional Programme, Asia-Pacific, United Nations. 

    The programme covered key aspects of building a business case of Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG) considerations in Board decision making, it covered aspects of ESG’s Indian as well as global context, guided the participants on how to begin with ESG journey, embedding ESG in to corporate strategy, Impact of climate change and Board’s accountability, designing business models for resilience, Risk mitigation, evolving role of Board in corporate accountability, Stakeholders engagement for ESG success, Governance of CSR and role of Board, Public disclosures on ESG, Business and Human Rights due diligence, effective grievance redressal mechanisms, future trends impacting businesses, and essentials of becoming ESG Impact leaders.  

    The sessions were delivered by prominent experts and facilitators including Prof. Garima Dadhich, Dr. Harpreet Kaur, Ms Olga Nilova, Mr. Bharat Wakhlu, Ms Belinda Hlatshwayo, Ms Nusrat Khan, and Dr. Ravi Raj Atrey. On the third day, delegation from Thailand based companies presented their ESG journey, best practices and challenges faced in strategizing and implementing ESG, the Indian delegation of public and private companies had a peer learning exposure through this exercise. The programme has benefitted CMDs, Directors, Independent Directors, Board Members, and other sr. leaders from corporate both public and private in the realm of ESG, it provided a unique opportunity to the participants to not only contribute to sustaining businesses in today’s rapidly changing world but also to co-create a collaborative system of exchange of knowledge and ideas at elite level.

    IICA enjoys unique distinction of offering a credible  six months ESG Professional programme  contributing to build a cadre of ESG professionals and Impact leaders. As per the recommendations of the High Level Advisory Committee and keeping in view the needs of Board representatives, this capsule programme was launched by the School of Business Environment-IICA in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme Regional Office for Asia and Pacific.  

     

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    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2099348) Visitor Counter : 71

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) officially comes into force as a full-fledged Treaty based Inter-governmental International Organization

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 7:14PM by PIB Delhi

    In a major development, the Framework Agreement on establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) has officially come into force. From 23rd January, 2025, the IBCA and its Secretariat have become a full-fledged treaty based inter-governmental international organization and international legal entity.

    To this effect, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (the Depository of the Framework Agreement) has confirmed that five countries – Republic of Nicaragua, Kingdom of Eswatini, Republic of India, Federal Republic of Somalia and Republic of Liberia – have deposited the instruments of ratification/acceptance/approval, under the Article VIII (1) of the Framework Agreement.

    As of now, 27 countries including India have consented to join IBCA and several international/national organisations working in the field of wildlife conservation have also partnered with IBCA. The five countries mentioned above have signed the Framework Agreement to formally become members of the IBCA.

    About the IBCA

    The IBCA was launched by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 9th April,2023, during the event ‘Commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger’. The Union Cabinet, in its meeting held on 29th February 2024, approved the establishment of IBCA with headquarters in India. It was launched with the aim of conservation of seven big cats – Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma – with membership of all UN countries/the range countries harbouring the said species and non-range countries where historically these species are not found but interested to support big cat conservation.

    The IBCA was established by Government of India, through the nodal organisation viz., National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), vide order dated 12th March, 2024. The primary objective of IBCA is to facilitate collaboration and synergy among stakeholders, consolidating successful conservation practices and expertise to achieve a common goal of conservation of big cats at global level. This unified approach, bolstered by financial support, aims to bolster the conservation agenda, halt the decline in big cat populations, and reverse current trends.

    IBCA envisages synergy through a collaborative platform for increased dissemination of gold standard big cat conservation practices, provides access to a central common repository of technical know-how and corpus of funds, strengthens the existing species-specific intergovernmental platforms, networks and transnational initiatives on conservation and protection and assists securing our ecological future and mitigate adverse effects of climate change.

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    VM

    (Release ID: 2099279) Visitor Counter : 28

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ranbhoomi App

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 4:35PM by PIB Delhi

    As informed by the Ministry of Defence, the Ranbhoomi App and the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative have been launched to open areas of historical importance and valour, for the citizen of India, which signify the sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces.

    State-wise details of 77 Shaurya Gantavya sites are attached as Annexure.

    The Indian Army in collaboration with the State governments and Ministry of Tourism, has put in place risk mitigation and safety measure to ensure the well-being of visitors to these sensitive and remote locations as follows:

    1. Military Point of Contact and Assistance- In high-risk border zones, visitors are required to coordinate with army units for safety and clearances, facilitated via single window, in high altitude areas, precautions to be adopted and acclimatization protocols are also being advised.
    2. Controlled Access and Permits- Entry to certain high-altitude locations is regulated and special permits are issued to ensure security.
    3. Emergency Response and Medical Aid- Incidental availability of district hospitals in the area. Emergency evacuation protocols by the Army are in place to provide immediate medical assistance.
    4. Weather Advisory- Weather advisories are issued to prevent mishaps in extreme conditions.
    5. Tourism and Environment Guidelines- Sustainable tourism practices are promoted to protect fragile ecosystem and ensure responsible travel.

    Infrastructure Enhancement and Amenities Development:

    1. The “Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan” initiative serves as an awareness and digital engagement’ platform.
    2. Currently these places have war memorials/museums and some facilities for refreshment etc. Infrastructure enhancement is done through respective state-led Schemes.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

     

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari    

    E-mail: – tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com                                                             

    ANNEXURE

    State-wise details of 77 Shaurya Gantavya sites

     

    STATE

    SHAURYA GANTAVYA SITES

    TOTAL NUMBER OF SITES

    Jammu & Kashmir

    Gurez Sector

    11

    Bangus Valley

    Aru Vally

    Yusmarg Valley

    Warman Valley

    Chandigram

    Keren

    Machil

    Teetwal

    Baramulla

    Uri

    Himachal Pradesh

    Spiti Valley

    04

    Kinnaur Valley

    Kalpa Valley

    Sangla Valley

    Rajasthan

    Longewala

    07

    Tanot

    Ramgarh

    Sundra

    Munabao

    Gadra Road

    Bhakasar

    Gujarat

    Koteshwar

    05

    Suigam Rann Reigon

    Kutch Region

    Lakhpat

    Bhuj

    Ladakh

    Galwan Valley

    14

    Kargil

    Siachen Base Camp

    Karakoram Pass

    Pangong TSO

    Demchok

    Padum Valley

    Hanle

    Chushul

    Hunder

    Tayakshi

    Turtuk

    Tasking

    Panamik

    Sikkim

    Doklam

    07

    Gurudongmar

    Thangu Region

    Lachung Region

    Geyzing

    Yuksom

    East Sikkim Reigon

    Arunachal Pradesh

    Tawang

    21

    Walong

    Dirang

    Bum La

    Sungetsar

    Zemithang

    Gorsam

    Lumpo

    Bomdila

    Lohit

    Kameng Region

    Bishum Valley

    Dibang Region

    Anini

    Menchuka Region

    Siang Region

    Yingkiong

    Gelling

    Upper Subansiri Valley

    Tsari Chu Valley

    Tuting Valley

    Uttrakhand

    Lipulekh Pass

    08

    Pithoragarh

    Harsil Sector

    Mana Sector

    Malari Sector

    Kumaon Region

    Dharchula

    Gunji

    *****

    (Release ID: 2099162) Visitor Counter : 76

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Pilgrimage Sites Transformed Under Prasad Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Ministry of Tourism

    Pilgrimage Sites Transformed Under Prasad Scheme

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 4:32PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Tourism under the “Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive” (PRASHAD) provides financial assistance to the State Governments and Union Territories Administrations for development of tourism infrastructure at identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.

    Components of Infrastructure development admissible under the scheme includes development/upgradation of destination entry points viz. passenger terminals (of road, rail and water transport), basic conveniences like tourism information/interpretation Centres with ATM/ Money exchange counters, improvement of road connectivity (last mile connectivity), procurement of equipment for eco-friendly modes of transport and equipment for tourist activities such as Light & Sound Show, renewable sources of energy for tourist infrastructure, parking facilities, toilets, cloak room facilities, waiting rooms, construction of craft haats/bazars/souvenir shops/cafeteria, rain shelters, watch towers, first aid centers, improvement in communication through establishing telephone booths, mobile services, internet connectivity, Wi-Fi hotspot among others.

    The details of the projects sanctioned along with major components developed under the scheme is given in the annexure.

    Under the scheme, three sites have been identified for development in Maharashtra namely, Shri Ghrushneshwar Shivalaya, Tuljapur and Shre Kshetra Rajur. Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process. The proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    E-mail: – tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

    ANNEXURE

    List of projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme                                                    (Rs. in Crore)

     

    State/UT

    S.

    No.

    Project Name

    Major components

    Sanction Year

    Approved

    Cost

    Andhra Pradesh
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrim Amenities at Amaravati

    •  Development at AmaralingeshwaraSwamy Temple (Tourist Amenities, Beautification- Land hardscape &softscape, Infrastructure provision & management)

    •  Mahachaitya Stupa & ASI Museum (Tourist Amenities, Infrastructure provision & management, Safety & security)

    •  Dhyana Buddha Site Development (Beautification, Infrastructure provision & management)

    •  Ghat Development

    •  Urban Infrastructure Development (Enhancing mobility, Entry gate to Amravati, Eco-friendly vehicles)

    2015-16

    27.77
    1.  

    Development of Srisailam Temple

    •  Development at Main temple (Illumination, Sound & Light show, Amphitheatre, Brass queues)

    •  Sikharam (Tourist amenity centre, changing room, lighting of sikharam area, viewing deck, parking)

    •  Tourist Amenity Centre at Hatakeswara

    •  PanchaMathas (pathway, lighting)

    •  Development works at Patalaganga (jetty, changing room)

    •  Common Toilet Complexes including Drinking water facility at 8 locations

    •  Road Improvement Works

    •  Tourist facilitation centre

    2017-18

    43.08
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Amenities at Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narsimha Swami VariDevasthanam at Simhachalam

    •  Pilgrimage Facilitation Centre

    •  Ghat road development (Viewpoints & parking with watch towers, Upgradation of steps)

    •  Temple Amenities and infrastructure with Amphitheatre (Illumination, Development of steps, Parking, Yagyashaala)

    •  Kitchen mechanization

    •  Multipurpose hall

    •  Pan area Development (Multimedia center with Augmented Reality (AR) setup, Electric mini vans, Signage, Baggage screening)

    2022-23

    54.04
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure in Annavaram Temple Town
    • Queue Complex
    • Annadanam Building
    • E-vehicles
    • Male and Female Toilets at Satyagiri hill

    2024-25

    25.33

    Arunachal Pradesh
    1.  

    Development of Parshuram

    Kund

    •  Pilgrimage Facilitation Centre

    •  Ghat road development (Viewpoints & parking with watch towers, Upgradation of steps)

    •  Temple Amenities and infrastructure with Amphitheatre (Illumination, Development of steps, Parking, Yagyashaala)

    •  Kitchen mechanization

    •  Multipurpose hall

    •  Pan area Development (Multimedia center with Augmented Reality (AR) setup, Electric mini vans, Signage, Baggage screening)

    2020-21

    37.88

    Assam
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage amenities at Kamakhya Temple

    •  Development of existing 3Nos of foot tracks to Kamakhya Temple from foothill

    •  AmbubachiMela Ground Development

    •  Multistoried car parking (Parking, cloak room, Baby care & senior citizen rest centers, public toilet)

    •  Construction of viewpoints

    •  Site development & retaining wall

    2015-16

    29.80

    Bihar
    1.  

    Development at Patna Sahib

    •  Development at Patna Sahib (Illumination, dustbin, CCTV)

    •  Linked infrastructure (City wide signage, Tourist information centre at Railway centre, External Street lighting, Illumination at Gaighat&Handisahab)

    •  Development at KanganGhat (TFC, River ghat development, sitting area, upgradation of Kanganghat)

    •  Development at Guru KaBagh (Sound & light show, Illumination)

    2015-16

    29.62
    1.  

    Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad temple

    •  Public Conveniences

    •  Yatri Sheds

    •  Development of Temple Fore Court

    •  Area Illumination

    •  Street Scaping& Parking

    •  Development of SitaKund and GayatriGhat (Changing room, toilet block, pilgrimage shed, drinking water kiosk, solar high mast light)

    2014-15

    3.63

    Chhattisgarh
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage amenities at MaaBamleshwari Devi Temple

    •  Development of MaaBambleshwari Devi Temple (hand railing & shed along the steps, Rest areas, Medical room, Solar lights, Parking, Development of lake front)

    •  Development of Pragyagiri (Meditation center, Cafeteria, Solar illumination, Parking)

    •  Development of Pilgrimage facilitation centre (Shri Yantra building, Solar illumination, Landscaping, Boundary wall, CC road)

    2020-21

    48.44

    Goa
    1.  

    Development of Bom Jesus Basilica

    •Parking

    •Interpretation Centre

    •External / Street Lighting

    •E-Auto

    •Monument facade Illumination

    •CI Park Bench

    •Informational & Directional Signage

    •Dust Bins

    •Visitor footfall counting device

    2024-25

    16.46

    Gujarat
    1.  

    Development of Dwarka

    •Development at Dwarkadhish Temple (Queue complex, Illumination, Temporary shading device)

    •Development at New GomtiGhat (Drinking water facility, Landscaping)

    •Development at Old GomtiGhat (Drinking water facility, Illumination of temple, Flooring, Temporary shading device)

    •Development at Rukshmani Temple (Toilet, Illumination, Parking & Pathway)

    •City-wide Interventions (Directional & Informational Signage)

    •Interventions at Railway Station (Tourist reception centre, Drinking water facility, Landscaping, CCTV)

    •Interventions at Bus Stand (TRC, Drinking water facility, Landscaping, CCTV)

    2016-17

    10.46
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Amenities at Somnath

    •Parking Area development (Toilet, Cloak room, cafeteria, signage, public address system)

    •Tourist Facilitation Centre (TFC, Campus & site development, electrification works)

    •Solid Waste Management System

    2016-17

    45.36
    1.  

    Development of Promenade at Somnath

    •Excavation & ground improvement

    •Rubble

    •Walkway Pavement

    •Tetrapod

    •Kiosk, Seating Arrangements, Drinking water, Dust bin

    •High Mast Light

    •Electric Pole with music system and area

    2018-19

    47.12
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Facilities at Ambaji Temple

    •Intervention at Ambaji temple (TFC, Approach Road, Pathway, Parking, Toilet block)

    •Approach road to Gabbar Hill (Toilet block, Stone pathway, Drinking water facility, Shaded resting areas, Electrical work, Signage)

    2022-23

    50.00

    Haryana
    1.  

    Development of Mata Mansa Devi Temple and Nada SahebGurudwara

    •Development at Gurudwara Nada Saheb (Façade illumination, Surface parking, Toilet block, STP, Covered pathway, Multilevel car parking, Entrance gate, Landscaping)

    •Mansa Devi Temple Area Development (Façade illumination, Plaza development, Gazebo, First aid facility)

    •Parking Area Development (TFC, Parking, Cultural activity area, Roads)

    •Integrated area development (Pathways, Benches, Signage, Toilet block)

    2019-20

    48.53

    Jammu and Kashmir
    1.  

    Development at Hazratbal Shrine

    •Development of existing inner approach road to the shrine

    •Site development (Boundary wall, Improvement of ghats and Devri Paths, Landscaping, Illumination)

    •Public convenience block and entrance gateway

    •Tensile structure for shading

    •Prefabricated shopping kiosks

    •Tourist Facilitation Center

    •Multi storied car parking

    2016-17

    40.46

    Jharkhand
    1.  

    Development of Baba Baidya Nath

    Dham

    •Shivganga Pond Development (Paving with footpath, Street furniture, Mandapas, Retaining wall, Entrance Arch, High mast & area lighting)

    •Jalsar lake front Development (Jalsar waterfront development, Walkway, Mandapa, Pergola, Retaining wall, City entrance gateways)

    •Kanwaria Path Development (Spiritual congregation hall, Community toilet, First aid centre, Landscape & paving, Drinking water kiosk)

    •Approach Pathways (Paving of approach roads, CCTV cameras, people counting system for temple, Control & command center and Jyotirlinga theme walk)

    2018-19

    36.79

    Karnataka
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Amenities at Sri Chamundeshwari Devi Temple

    •Development at Chamundi Temple Premises (Queue Mandapam Stretch, Multipurpose Area & Stage, Cloak room, Illumination)

    •Pilgrimage Facilities development at Mahisasura plaza (Amenities block, Entrance stone arch, Illumination)

    •Development at Devikere (Handrails for entire steps, Steps and mandapa beautification)

    •Nandi Statue Pavilion Development (Queue Mandapam, Paver area development)

    •Devi Pada Redevelopment (Steps and mandapa beautification, Handrails for entire steps)

    2023-24

    45.71

    Kerala
    1.  

    Development at Guruvayur Temple

    •Tourist Facilitation Centre

    •Tourist Amenity Centre

    •Multi-Level Car Parking (MLCP)

    •CCTV Network Infrastructure

    2016-17

    45.19

    Madhya Pradesh
    1.  

    Development of Amarkantak

    •Development around Narmada Mandir (Gateway, Waiting pavilion, Dining & kitchen for prasad distribution, Kiosks, Street furniture)

    •Illumination of Temples

    •Development of Indra Daman Lake, Ma kiBagia, KapilDhara

    •Development of Ghat at South Bank, Sonmuda

    •Development of Mela Ground, Ped Street

    •Development of Tourist Facility Centre

    •Development of Public Amenities

    2020-21

    49.99
    1.  

    Development of Omkareshwar

    •Development works at Omkareshwar  Temple (Darshan hall, Waiting hall,  Foot bridge on river side with retaining wall, Medical room, Prasad counters)

    •Development of GauGhat (Renovation & extension of ghat, food court & day shelter, security booth, changing room, florist shops)

    •Development of JP Chowk (Uniform façade elevation, entrance public plaza)

    •Pilgrimage Walk (covered walkway, entrance gate, parikrama path, steps from Brahmeshwar temple to Gaughat, Renovation of existing steps, widening of existing pathway)

    •Sound & Light Show

    •Linked Infra (Development of sheds for shopping streets, day shelters, watch tower, security booth cum information kiosk, signage, toilet, solid waste management)

    2017-18

    43.93

    Maharashtra
    1.  

    Development of Trimbakeshwar

    •TrimbakeshwarParikrama (Holy Pond/lake development, Landscaping, Junction improvement)

    •Tourism/ Pilgrimage Infrastructure, Trimbak Town (TFC, Parking, PFC at Sangam)

    •Pilgrimage Parikrama of Anjaneri- Trimbak- Brahmagiri (Camping & waiting area, Community Hall, Changing room, Toilet)

    •Development Work at Shri NivruttinathMaharaj Samadhi Temple (Queuing complex, administrative block, Cloak and waiting rooms)

    2017-18

    42.18

    Meghalaya
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Facilitation at Nongswalia Church, NartiangShakti Peeth, Aitnar Pool and Charantala Kali Temple

    •Development at Nongswalia Church (Entrance gates, Welsh history interpretation centre, pathway, parking, public convenience, Pilgrimage walk, Illumination)

    •Development at Nartiang Shakti Peeth (Pilgrimage facilitation center, pathway, illumination, parking, signage)

    •Development at Aitnar Pool (Festival gallery area development, Behdeinkhlam festival facilitation centre, AR-VR at facilitation centre)

    •Development at Charantala Kali Temple (Vehicular cross bridge, Approach Road, Retaining wall, PFC)

    2020-21

    29.29

    Mizoram
    1.  

    Development of Infrastructure for Pilgrimage and Heritage Tourism at ChiteVang, Zuangtai, Reiek and Aizawl

    •Heritage Congregation Centre, Aizwal

    •Prayer Mountain, Zuangtai (PFC with viewing gallery, signage, Multipurpose Hall & kitchen)

    •Development at Khuangchera Cave (PFC, Safety equipment required for visiting the cave)

    •Development at KalvariTiang, Aizwal (Protective railing, PFC, Lighting, Rain shelter, Signage, Wooden benches)

    2022-23

    44.89

    Nagaland
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Infrastructure at Molungkimong, Noksen Church, Aizuto, Wokha and Kohima

    •Development at Molungkimong (Church gate, Toilet, Interpretation centre, Illumination, Signage, Approach Road)

    •Development at Noksen Church (Pilgrimage arrival centre, Illumination, Parking, Approach Road, Retaining wall)

    •Development at Mission Compound, Aizuto (Sacred Pond edge lining area development, Illumination, PFC, Approach Road, Signage, Rain Shelter)

    •Development at Cathedral of Kohima (Entrance gate, Illumination, Interpretation centre, Signage, Parking, Retaining wall)

    •Wayside amenity-Wokha

    2018-19

    25.20
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure at Zunheboto

    •Naga Entrance Gate

    •Pilgrimage Facilitation Centre

    •Illumination of Sumi Baptist Church

    •Multilevel Car Parking

    2022-23

    18.18

    Odisha
    1.  

    Infrastructure Development at Puri

    •Tourist Facilitation Centre at Puri

    •Development of Beach at Shree JagannathDhamPuri (Benches, Drinking water facilities, Public convenience, signage, watch tower, food court)

    •Development of Ramchandi Temple

    •Development of Shree JagannathVishramsthali and Amphitheatre

    •Development at Gundicha temple (Dustbins, landscaping, pathways, signage, illumination)

    •Development at Prachi River Front (Drinking water facilities,Entrance gate, prayer hall, bridge to connect temple campus, steps, walkway)

    •Development at MaaMangla Temple (Drinking water facilities, dustbins, pathways, public convenience, signage)

    2014-15

    50.00

    Punjab
    1.  

    Development of KarunaSagar Valmiki Sthal at Amritsar

    •External sewerage

    •Water Supply

    •Toilet blocks & cloak room

    •Landscaping

    •Solid Waste collection & management

    •Main gate structure

    •Road widening and beautification

    2015-16

    6.40
    1.  

    Development of Chamkaur Sahib

    •Tourist Facilitation Centre at Puri

    •Development of Beach at Shree JagannathDhamPuri (Benches, Drinking water facilities, Public convenience, signage, watch tower, food court)

    •Development of Ramchandi Temple

    •Development of Shree JagannathVishramsthali and Amphitheatre

    •Development at Gundicha temple (Dustbins, landscaping, pathways, signage, illumination)

    •Development at Prachi River Front (Drinking water facilities,Entrance gate, prayer hall, bridge to connect temple campus, steps, walkway)

    •Development at MaaMangla Temple (Drinking water facilities, dustbins, pathways, public convenience, signage)

    2021-22

    31.57

    Rajasthan
    1.  

    Integrated Development of Pushkar/

    Ajmer

    •Development at Ajmer Sharif Dargah (Refurbishment of façade, Tensile fabric structure, Shading devices)

    •Improvement of Delhi gate and Dargah gate chowk (Illumination, Refurbishment work)

    •Tourist information kiosk at railway & bus stand Restoration & development works at Pushkar Sarovar, Pushkar Market Street

    •Development work at Brahma temple, Savitri Mata temple &Parikrama Path, Pushkar

    2015-16

    32.64

    Sikkim
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Facilitation at Four Patron Saints, Yuksom

    •Coronation Throne of Norbugang (Approach Road, Traditional gate, Illumination)

    •Pilgrimage facilities near helipad (PFC, parking and entrance gate, Landscaping)

    •Pilgrimage stopover facility at Rimbi

    2020-21

    33.32

    Tamil Nadu
    1.  

    Development of Kanchipuram

    •Bus terminus upgradation (Tourist information centre, cloak room, RO plant)

    •Pilgrimage walk (Pathway, pedestrian guard rail, signage)

    •Ekambareswarar temple (Parking platform, Security room, Compound wall)

    •Rangaswamy tank rejuvenation (Entrance Arch & Gate, Seating facilities, Pathway)

    •Illumination of monuments

    2016-17

    13.99
    1.  

    Development of Velankanni

    •Velankanni beach (Paver block road)

    •Bus stand (Toilet block)

    •Improvement of Oorani-MariammanKulam

    •City level interventions (CCTV, Wi-Fi, Control room, Street lighting)

    2016-17

    4.86

    Telangana
    1.  

    Development of Jogulamba Devi Temple

    •Connectivity Node (New bus stand, Cultural haat)

    •Pilgrimage Facilitation Node (Pilgrim facilitation cum Cultural centre, Public amenity complex, Pathway)

    •Approach Level Intervention (Rain shelter, High mast lighting, Signage)

    •Jogulamba Temple Premises (Parking complex, Lightng& illumination, Alternate access road, Shower & changing room, Solid waste management)

    •Tungabhadra Ghat (Floating jetty, Landscaping, Cruise boat, Illumination)

    •Other ASI Sites (Proposed new access to Sangamedhwara temple)

    2020-21

    38.90
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage and Heritage Tourism Infrastructure at Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple

    •Interpretation Centre

    •Amphitheater

    •4D Movie Hall

    •Sculpture Park

    •Lakefront Development

    •Bus and car Parking Area

    2022-23

    62.00
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Infrastructure at Bhadrachalam

    •Development works at Main Temple (Change of flooring, MS roofing structure, Mechanization for Prasadam production)

    •Development around Main Temple (Approach Road, Pilgrim amenities centre, Ghat area development- Changing room, Toilet, Jetty)

    •Town Entrance (Entrance bridge, Washroom & canteen complex, Compound wall, Chain link fencing, Battery operated cars)

    •Development works at Parnasala and SeethammaVaagu (Pilgrim amenities centre, Street light, Kiosks, Foot over bridge, Toilet)

    •Allied development works (Street lighting, Signage, CCTV)

    2022-23

    41.38

    Tripura
    1.  

    Development of Tripura Sundari Temple

    •Development of Main Temple area (Food court, Meditation Hall, Illumination, Pooja shops)

    •Covered Aastha Path (Flooring, Railing, Roofing)

    •External Development works (Foot over bridge, STP, Signage Entrance gate, Toilet)

    2020-21

    34.43

    Uttar Pradesh
    1.  

    Development of Varanasi –Phase –I

    •Sound & Light show

    •Integrated development of MarkandeyMahadev temple (Shade for pathway and railing, Gantry signage, campus illumination)

    •SarangNath Pond Rejuvenation (Retaining wall, ghat development, viewing deck, gazebos, pathways)

    •Buddha Theme Park, Sarnath (Gazebos, feature wall, parking)

    •Conservation and development of Gurudham temple (Softscape, Hardscape, New gate, Toilet, Illumination)

    2015-16

    18.73
    1.  

    Development of Mathura-Vrindavan as Mega Tourist Circuit (Ph-II)

    •Krishna Sarovar, Baad, Mathura (Landscaping, Chain link, Pathway, Information centre, Kund rejuvenation centre, Toilet, Open air stage, Sitting place, Ghat development)

    •Jai Kund, Jait, Mathura (Landscaping, Chain link, Pathway, Kund rejuvenation, provision of fountain for movement of Kund water, ghat development)

    •Chandra Sarovar, Chaumuha, Mathura (Landscaping, Chain link, Construction of bore well, Kund rejuvenation, ghat development)

    •Akbar kataal Mathura (Kund rejuvenation, Entry gate, Toilet, Open air stage)

    2014-15

    10.98
    1.  

    Development of River Cruise Tourism at Varanasi

    •Passenger cum cruise vessel

    •320 sq. m. HDPE modular system Jetty (pontoon)

    •Aesthetics & vernacular exterior finish of the cruise vessel & jetty

    •Audiovisual intervention (Story board)

    •Surveillance & security

    •CCTV surveillance

    2017-18

    9.02
    1.  

    Construction of Tourist Facilitation Centre at Vrindavan

    •Cost of building (Souvenir shops, Tourist assistance counter, Tourist waiting area, Toilets, driver lunge, covered parking)

    •Internal development cost (Boundary wall, Rainwater harvesting, Electrification)

    2014-15

    9.36
    1.  

    Development of Varanasi – Phase II

    •Godowliachowk to DashashwamedhGhat (Street pedestrianization& footpath, Façade development)

    •Varanasi by Night (Lighting of ghats, Raj ghat to bridge- Toilts, Road improvement, TIC, Parking, River boat platform)

    •Revitalization of PanchkoshiParikarma (Road development, PFC, Signage)

    2017-18

    44.60
    1.  

    Development of Infrastructure facilities at Govardhan

    •Development at Govardhan Bus Station (Car stand block, Cloak room, Toilet, Boundary wall)

    •Development at GovardhanParikrama (Street Furniture, CCTV, WiFi)

    •Development at Chandra Sarovar (Toilet, Ticket counter, Pathway, bench, Landscaping, Solar light)

    •Development at KusumSarovar (Illumination, Toilet, Paved pathway)

    •Development at Mansi Ganga (Pilgrim amenities, Lighting of ghats, Connecting bridge from temple to amenity block)

    2018-19

    37.59

    Uttarakhand
    1.  

    Integrated Development of Kedarnath

    •Development at Rudraprayag (Eco-log interpretation centre, Snaanghat, Signage, Sitting arrangement, Parking, Viewpoint)

    •Development at Tilwara (Parking, Sitting arrangement, Signage)

    •Development at Augustmuni (Rest shelter, Viewpoint, Toilet, Approach Road, Tourist information/Assistance centre& souvenir shop, Parking)

    •Development at Ukhimath (Approach Road, Eco-log interpretation centre, Multilevel parking)

    •Development at Guptkashi (Toilet, Signage, Parking, Solid waste management, Solar LED streetlight)

    •Development at Kalimath (Retaining wall, Approach Road, Solar LED streetlight)

    •Development at Sitapur (TIC, Sitting arrangement, Solar LED streetlight)

    2015-16

    34.77
    1.  

    Development of Infrastructure for Pilgrimage Facilitation in Badrinath Ji Dham

    •Temple complex and surrounding area (Illumination, Waste management, Storm water drainage)

    •Development at Aastha Path (Solar lights, Dust bins, Benches)

    •Pilgrimage Facilitation Centre

    •Parking Complex, Tourist management system, Tourist arrival plaza

    2018-19

    56.15
    1.  

    Augmentation of Pilgrimage Infrastructure Facilities at Gangotri and Yamunotri

    Dham

    •Development at Gangotri Temple (PFC, Rejuvenation of temple verandah, Entry gate, LED illumination, public amenities Pilgrimage registration & dynamic crowd management system, Alarm system at ghat, Parking)

    •Development at Yamnotri (Entry gate, LED illumination, Development of ghat, Pilgrimage information centre, public convenience)

    •Trek from JankiChatti to Yamnotri (Rain shelter &parademiccentre, Publlic convenience, Benches, Signage)

    •Development at Kharsali (Approach Road, Entry gate, Illumination, Landscaping)

    2021-22

    54.36

    West Bengal
    1.  

    Development of Belur Math

    •Solid Waste Management

    •Signage & giant LED display

    •Provision of pathway

    •Drinking water kiosks and hand washing facility

    •Tourist reception center, Gangway & jetty

    •Multi-level car parking

    •Installation of roof top solar panels

    2016-17

    30.03

     

     

    ****

    (Release ID: 2099160)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Progress in achieving Climate Goals

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 3:43PM by PIB Delhi

    The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement does not subscribe to financial year wise reporting. India subscribes to its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), submitted in 2022, as per the Paris Agreement under the UNFCCC.

    As per India’s 4thBiennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted to the UNFCCC on 30thDecember, 2024, between 2005 and 2020, India’s emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reduced by 36% as against the NDC target of 45% to be achieved by 2030. Regarding status on achievement of target under NDC related to the share of non-fossil fuel-based sources, the share in India’s total installed electricity generation capacity is 47.10% in December 2024 as against the target of 50% to be achieved by 2030. As compared to the base year of 2005, India has reached 2.29 billion tonnes of additional carbon sink as against the target of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes by 2030 through additional forest and tree cover.

    The Government of India amended the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 (52 of 2001) in the year 2022 to facilitate the development of carbon market in the country. Subsequently under the act, the Government has notified the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) vide notification S.O. 2825(E), dated 28th June 2023 and amendment notification S.O. 5369(E), dated 19thDecember 2023.

    The CCTS provides for two mechanisms namely, compliance mechanism and offset mechanism. In the compliance mechanism, the obligated entities are required to comply with the prescribed GHG emission intensity reduction norms in each compliance cycle of CCTS. The obligated entities which reduce their GHG emission intensity below the prescribed GHG emission intensity are eligible for issuance of Carbon Credit Certificates. ln the offset mechanism, the non-obligated entities can register their projects for GHG emission reduction or removal or avoidance for issuance of Carbon Credit Certificates.

    The Government of India has also developed a plan to smoothly shift energy-intensive sectors and Designated Consumers (DCs) from the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) Scheme to the compliance mechanism under the CCTS. This plan ensures continuity, consistency, and alignment with national climate goals while avoiding duplication of targets. To initiate the transition, the Government has identified nine energy-intensive sectors for inclusion under compliance mechanism of the CCTS, namely, Aluminium, Cement, Steel, Paper, Chlor-Alkali, Fertiliser, Refinery, Petrochemical, and Textile. Under the offset mechanism, ten sectors have been approved, which include energy, industries, waste handling & disposal, agriculture, forestry, transport, construction, fugitive emissions, solvent use and Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage.

    The Government has also notified the National Designated Authority for the Implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (NDAIAPA), vide Gazette Notification, dated 30thMay, 2022. The Authority has updated and finalized the list of 14 activities under Green House Gas (GHG) mitigation activities, alternate materials, and removal activities, which are eligible for trading of international carbon credits under bilateral/ cooperative approaches, under Article 6.2 and Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement.

    The Government collaborates with other countries in the field of Renewable Energy sector and mitigating the environment degradation through mechanisms such as Memorandums of Understanding, Letters of Intent, Joint Declarations of Intent, Energy Dialogues and Partnerships.

    The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), at its Sixth Session held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 1stMarch, 2024, unanimously adopted the resolution on sustainable lifestyles. The resolution based on the precepts of Mission LiFE was moved by India and co- sponsored by Sri Lanka and Bolivia and is a significant step forward in the globalisation of the concept of Mission LiFE or Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE).

    India hosted the 3rdVoice of Global South Summit on 17thAugust, 2024 with the overarching theme “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future”. In the Environment Ministers’ Session, 18 countries and 1 bank from Global South participated. India emphasized the importance of encouraging sustainable consumption and production patterns, promoting sustainable lifestyles, reducing waste, and fostering a culture of conservation and respect for natural resources. The deliberations highlighted the call for climate justice and developing countries’ demand for climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building.

    Presently, India has cross border interconnections with Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. An Agreement between India and Bhutan concerning Cooperation in the field of Hydroelectric Power was signed on 28thJuly, 2006. India and Nepal signed an agreement on 04.01.2024 which will facilitate export of 10,000 MW of electricity from Nepal to India in the next 10 years.

    This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

    VM

    (Lok Sabha US Q134)                                                                     

                 

    (Release ID: 2099131) Visitor Counter : 57

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Compliance of End-of-Life Vehicles Rules, 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 3:42PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) notified the Environment Protection (End-of-Life Vehicles) Rules, 2025 vide S.O. 98(E) dated 06th January, 2025 for environmentally sound management of end-of-life vehicles. The rules are based on the principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR) where producers of vehicles are given mandatory EPR targets for scrapping of end-of-life vehicles. The rules cover all types of transport and non-transport vehicles, except agricultural tractor, agricultural trailer, combine harvester and power tiller.

    Under the said rules, producers have been mandated to fulfil the obligation of Extended Producer Responsibility for the vehicles that the producer has introduced or introduces in the domestic market, including vehicles put to self-use to ensure the specified scrapping targets. Producers have been provided annual targets for scrapping of End-of-life vehicles starting from the year 2025-26 for the vehicles put in the market 15 years ago in case of transport vehicles and 20 years ago in case of non-transport vehicles.

    Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs) have been mandated to receive unfit vehicles or End-of-Life vehicles for scrapping and must carry out treatment, depolluting, dismantling, segregation and scrapping activities. They are required to send all the recovered and segregated materials from End-of-Life vehicles to the registered recyclers or refurbishers, co-processors for recycling and reuse of components or materials, in case RVSF does have recycling or refurbishing facility. They are further required to send all non-recyclable or non-refurbishable materials and non-utilizable hazardous materials to Common Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility authorised under Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.

    Designated Collection Centres by producers are required to handle the End-of-Life Vehicles in an environmentally sound manner and send them to Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility. Registered owner of the vehicle or bulk consumer is required to deposit the End-of-Life vehicle at any of the producer’s designated sales outlet or designated Collection Centre or Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility within a period of one hundred and eighty days from the date the vehicle becomes the End-of-Life vehicle.

    Under the rules, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in case of producer and State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) in case of RVSF and bulk consumer may, after giving an opportunity of being heard, suspend or cancel their registration, in case of violation or non-compliance of any provisions of these rules. Returns in respect of obligations provided under the rules are required to be filed by producer, bulk consumer and RVSF on centralised online portal.

    CPCB has been mandated to undertake periodic inspection and audit of the producer to ensure that such facility is complying with the requirement under the provisions of these rules. CPCB may undertake or cause to be undertaken by an authorised agency the periodic inspection and audit of the Registered Vehicle Scrapping facility. CPCB may take necessary actions against violations or for non-fulfilment of obligations under these rules against a producer or Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility or any other person.

    Similarly, SPCB has been mandated to undertake periodic inspection and audit, or cause to be inspected by an authorised agency, of the RVSF to ensure compliance of the rules. SPCB is required to undertake periodic inspection and audit, or cause to be inspected by an authorised agency, of the Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility to ensure the compliance of these rules and may take necessary actions against violations or for non-fulfilment of obligations under these rules against a Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility or bulk consumer or any other person.

    In case, producer or Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility or bulk consumer fails to comply with the provisions relating to handling and scrapping of End-of-Life vehicles in environmentally sound manner under these rules, are liable to pay environmental compensation for causing loss, damage or injury to environment or public health.

    Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has formulated the Vehicle Scrapping Policy for creation of an ecosystem to phase out older unfit and polluting vehicles. The policy targets scrapping of unfit and polluting vehicles strictly based on their fitness. Under this policy, a network of Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs) is envisaged across the country. As on January 2025, 84 RVSFs are operational in the country.

    MoRTH notified the Motor Vehicles (Registration and Functions of Vehicle Scrapping Facility) Rules, 2021 prescribe for registration of Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF), criteria for scrapping vehicles, scrapping procedure, audit and certifications for functioning of RVSFs. In addition, RVSF is required to comply with the guidelines ‘Environmentally Sound Management of End-of-Life Vehicles’ issued by CPCB.

    MoRTH notified the Central Motor Vehicles (Twenty Third Amendment) Rules, 2021 vide GSR 714 (E) dated 04.10.2021, which provide that if a buyer of a new vehicle submits ‘Certificate of Deposit’ of an end-of-life vehicle then the Registration fee on the new vehicle will not be levied. Further, MoRTH under the Central Motor Vehicles (Twenty fourth Amendment) Rules, 2021 vide GSR 720 (E) dated 05.10.2021 provides for concession in the motor vehicle tax upto twenty five percent in case of non-transport vehicles and fifteen percent in case of transport vehicles.

    In addition, MoRTH has issued the following notifications or advisories to promote adoption of Electric Vehicles and eco-friendly alternatives:

    1. Vide S.O. 5333 (E) dated 18.10.2018, granted the exemption to the Battery-Operated Transport Vehicles and Transport Vehicles running on Ethanol and Methanol fuels from the requirements of permit.
    2. Vide GSR 525 (E) dated 2.8.2021 exempted the Battery-Operated Vehicles from the payment of fees for the purpose of issue or renewal of registration certificate and assignment of new registration mark.
    3. Vide GSR 302 (E) dated 18.4.2023 to issue All India Tourist permit for Battery Operated Vehicles without payment of any permit fee.
    4. Vide GSR 749 (E) dated 7.8.2018 to issue registration mark for the Battery-Operated Vehicles to be in Yellow colour on Green background for the transport vehicles and for all other cases, in White in colour on Green background.

     

    Further, Ministry of Heavy Industries launched ‘PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme’ on 29th September, 2024 for promotion of electric mobility in the country with and outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over a period of two years. The scheme provides subsidies or demand incentives worth Rs.3,679 crore to e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks and other emerging EVs. It will support 24.79 lakh e-2Ws, 3.16 lakh e-3Ws, and 14,028 e-buses.

    This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

    VM

    (Lok Sabha US Q3)

    (Release ID: 2099130) Visitor Counter : 43

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Changes in Environmental Clearances Policy

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 3:40PM by PIB Delhi

    The Central Government has amended Section 21 of Air (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Section 25 of Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and exempted certain categories of industries from obtaining consents. Consequently, notifications [G. S. R. 702 (E) dated 12-11-2024 under section 21(1) of the Air Act and G. S. R. 703 (E) dated 12-11-2024 under section 25(1) of the Water Act] have been issued to exempt white category of industries completely from consent mechanism and other categories from Consent to Establish if the project or activity has obtained environmental clearance under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986. In view of the above, the project / activities requiring prior EC as per the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 (as amended from time to time) under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 are exempted from obtaining previous Consent To Establish (CTE) separately.

    Subsequently, the Ministry has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) dated 14thNovember 2024, which has been partially modified vide OM dated 14thJanuary 2025, for implementing the notifications mentioned above.  In the SOP, it has been, inter-alia, directed that, for the projects / activities requiring prior EC, the exemption provided from obtaining CTE is subject to obtaining necessary EC and the environmental safeguards related to the establishment of industries, as may be required, will be integrated in the conditions of EC itself. The above-mentioned OMs provide for seeking the comments of the respective SPCBs on the project site, the feasibility of the project and the environmental safeguards for the concerned project, which will be integrated in the conditions of EC. Further provision for payment of requisite fees to the SPCBs has also been made.  

    The Ministry has undertaken systemic and policy reforms to streamline and expedite the Environment Clearance process by taking into account the imperative need for development while balancing the same with due environmental safeguards in line with the concept of sustainable development. This exemption will not only reduce compliance burden on industries but also promote Ease of Doing Business by reducing duplication of approvals since the criteria for environmental clearance and consent were overlapping. 

    Exempting certain categories of industries will not have any adverse impacts on environment, since the above notification effectively integrates the two procedures.  As mentioned above, the SPCBs will have opportunity to put forth their comments/conditions during environmental appraisal process, which will be included in the EC conditions. Also, the existing mechanism of ‘Consent to Operate’ will continue as such and the SPCBs will continue to regulate and monitor the potential environmental implications by projects through the mechanism of Consent to Operate.

    This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

    VM

    (Lok Sabha US Q50)

    (Release ID: 2099128) Visitor Counter : 45

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How universities can help make our cities more accessible for people with disabilities

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Carmela Cucuzzella, Dean, Faculty of Environmental Design, Université de Montréal, Full Professor School of Design, Université de Montréal

    Those designing university courses should ensure issues of universal accessibility are embedded throughout a student’s academic journey. (Shutterstock)

    People living with disabilities, ranging in severity, regularly face barriers. Oftentimes, built environments are designed in ways that fail to consider the needs of those in situations of disability. That can include improperly sized ramps for wheelchair users or public spaces that are not sensory friendly.

    One 2024 study found that most buildings in Canada are not accessible for people with disabilities.

    This lack of accommodation can have a serious impact on a person’s quality of life. For example, people with disabilities report challenges in their workplaces, such as a lack of automatic door openers and poor signage and way-finding.

    If our public spaces are not accessible to all, then they cannot be truly public. The first step in changing our built environment is to bring awareness to the different forms of disabilities that people in Canada experience.

    The number of people in Canada living with disabilities increased by about five per cent from 2017 to 2022. In 2022, the Canadian Survey on Disability showed that 27 per cent of Canadians aged 15 years and older had one or more disabilities that impacted their daily activities.

    As a professor in a school of design and the dean of the Faculty of Environmental Design at the Université of Montréal, I believe it’s urgently important to explore how faculties of architecture, design, landscape architecture and urbanism can inform design practices through the way we teach and conduct research.

    Our objective must be to teach students how to make our built environment more inclusive and universally accessible through creative means rather than basic technological add-ons.

    In 2022, the Canadian Survey on Disability showed that 27 per cent of Canadians aged 15 years and older had one or more disabilities that impacted their daily activities.
    (Shutterstock)

    Solutions remain cumbersome and stigmatizing

    In 2022, 72 per cent of people with disabilities reported that they experienced one or more barriers to accessibility due to their condition. The Canadian government has recognized these challenges by setting ambitious nationwide accessibility targets for 2040.

    Standards exist for accessibility and inclusivity in Canada, but they are not systematically applied. Furthermore, when designing for universal accessibility, the emphasis is on conformity rather than experience, on separation rather than integration, and on functionality rather than fulfillment.

    Take, for example, a multi-storey office building that provides separate entrances and facilities for people with disabilities. The building complies with the minimum accessibility requirements set by local building codes, but does so in a way that isolates people with disabilities rather than integrating their needs into the overall design. This building does not provide the same experience to all people and therefore separates rather than includes diverse populations.

    The universal accessibility of public spaces and buildings is a complex design problem. It is especially difficult for retrofits, since solutions can quickly become costly, particularly in heritage buildings.

    But if changes are managed carefully, costs can become manageable. Universal accessible design is also challenging for new buildings and spaces, but if universal design is prioritized right from the outset of a project, architects and developers can create inclusive environments that accommodate diverse needs without incurring substantial additional expenses.

    Universities that offer teaching and research programs in universal accessible design can make a real difference.
    (Shutterstock)

    How universities can help

    Universal accessible design is not just a question of following a set of codes, but rather a question of designing for an equitable, qualitative accessible experience. This means ensuring that all people, regardless of their physical or mental situations, are offered equivalent spatial experiences.

    Universities that offer teaching and research programs in a universal accessible design can make a real difference. But it’s integral that teaching is developed alongside the research, as understanding of needs and best practices are in continual renewal.

    Faculties with such programs and courses could achieve this by enabling students through creative engagement of this difficult subject. Furthermore, being in these design environments allows students to understand these societal issues as leverage for innovative solutions, rather than just satisfying building codes.

    Those designing university courses should ensure issues of universal accessibility are embedded throughout a student’s academic journey, and included in a way that helps empower the graduating students.

    Students graduating from these programs will become the young professionals in the fields of design, architecture, urbanism or landscape architecture.

    Unfortunately, the exact likelihood of students specializing in universal accessibility — and applying their knowledge in their careers — is challenging due to limited specific data. But there is an increasing recognition of the importance of accessibility in various sectors, leading to more roles that require expertise in universal design and inclusive practices.

    For instance, in Québec, efforts are being made to integrate and retain people with disabilities in the workforce, highlighting the need for professionals trained in inclusive access and universal accessibility.

    Accessiblity in the classroom

    Incorporating more discussion on universal accessibility in the classroom and in university research environments can help students apply their expertise in the design of our built environment throughout their careers.

    Yet, higher education institutions are still not giving enough attention to courses related to universal accessibility and design. Institutions in Canada often struggle with how to provide students living with disabilities with barrier-free environments.

    A national research project led by the Université of Montréal called Quality in Canada’s Built Environment is bringing together research groups from universities across the country to develop solutions based on the lived experiences of people living with diverse conditions. This is a key research approach to help sensitize students across the many programs touching the built environment that is also having an impact on student learning experiences.

    In 2020 alone, more than 77,000 students graduated in the fields of architecture and related studies in Canada. If every graduate is sensitized to the barriers faced by people living with disabilities, we could begin to see a shift in how our built environments are imagined and constructed by those who design them.

    By fostering dialogue between research, education and practice, universities can ensure a future where accessibility is seamlessly integrated into the every day.

    Carmela Cucuzzella receives funding from FRQSC and SSHRC.

    – ref. How universities can help make our cities more accessible for people with disabilities – https://theconversation.com/how-universities-can-help-make-our-cities-more-accessible-for-people-with-disabilities-245639

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Russian ‘shadow fleet’ in the Baltic Sea – E-000291/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000291/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Siegbert Frank Droese (ESN)

    • 1.What is the Commission’s assessment of the environmental and maritime safety implications of the so-called Russian shadow fleet of oil tankers in the Baltic Sea, which, according to Greenpeace and others, represents a major environmental threat?[1]
    • 2.Against this background, what is the Commission’s view of the impact of the sanctions policy against the Russian Federation?

    Submitted: 23.1.2025

    • [1] https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/Tankerliste-Greenpeace-warnt-vor-russischer-Ostsee-Schattenflotte,schattenflotte102.html
    Last updated: 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde – A10-0004/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

    on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde

    (11267/2024 – C10‑0087/2024 – 2024/0133(NLE))

    (Consent)

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to the draft Council decision (11267/2024),

    – having regard to the draft agreement (11026/2024),

    – having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 43(2) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v), and Article 218(7), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C10‑0087/2024),

    – having regard to the budgetary assessment by the Committee on Budgets,

    – having regard to Rule 107(1) and (4), and Rule 117(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Development,

    – having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Fisheries (A10-0004/2025),

    1. Gives its consent to the conclusion of the agreement;

    2. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Republic of Cabo Verde.

    EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

    The Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde (FPA) offers fishing opportunities for 56 EU vessels for tuna and related species in Cabo Verde’s waters.

    The new agreement covers a period of five years and will offer EU vessels the possibility to fish 7 000 tonnes of tuna and tuna-like species in Cabo Verde’s waters. In return, the EU will pay Cabo Verde a financial contribution of 780 000€ per year (EUR 3 900 000 for the entire duration of the Protocol), from which 350 000€ is related to a reference tonnage of 7 000 tonnes, and 430 000€ to support for developing Cabo Verde’s sectoral fisheries policy.

    The rapporteur highlights the strategic importance of Cabo Verde, as a relevant player in the Atlantic Ocean, remembering that the EU and Cabo Verde have developed a cooperative relationship for more than four decades, with respect and political dialogue. Currently, Cabo Verde and the EU share common values such as democracy, respect for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, the promotion of multilateralism, and Cabo Verde is part of a regional group, called Macaronesia, which includes the Azores, Madeira, Canaries and Cabo Verde. The evolution of relations in these fields led to the creation of the EU-Cabo Verde Special Partnership in 2007, which continues to evolve.

    The rapporteur stresses the importance of the EU-Cabo Verde SFPA for the EU fleet fishing for tuna and related species in the Atlantic Ocean, following strict EU criteria with regard to fisheries management, resource conservation and environmental sustainability, while at the same time strictly respecting the human rights and contributing for local socioeconomic development.

    The rapporteur considers that this is a balanced Agreement, in which the remuneration for the fishing opportunities is lower than the EU contribution to support the development of Cabo Verde fisheries sector. This Protocol puts special emphasis on promoting decent working conditions for fishing activity, scientific capacity building, observation and management of the marine environment and marine protected areas. It promotes sustainable fisheries management, fisheries control and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). It also contains new provisions to improve vessel monitoring, the management of fishing authorizations and enhanced management measures for shark stocks. The Protocol responds to Cabo Verde’s desire to strengthen the industrialization and competitiveness of its fishing sector.

    In accordance with Article 218(6) TFEU, the consent of the European Parliament is required in order for the Council to adopt a decision on the conclusion of the Agreement.

    In the light of the above, the Rapporteur recommends to Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement.

     

    ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

    The rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

     

     

    BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGETS (22.11.2024)

    for the Committee on Fisheries

    on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde

    (COM(2024)0236 – C10‑0087/2024 – 2024/0133(NLE))

    Rapporteur for budgetary assessment: Hélder Sousa Silva 

     

    The Committee on Budgets has carried out a budgetary assessment of the proposal under Rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure and has reached the following conclusions:

    – having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union[1],

    – having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement (IIA) of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources[2], and in particular point 20 thereof,

    A. whereas the financial contribution for the entire duration of the Protocol is EUR 3 900 000 (i.e. EUR 780 000 per year), based on:

    (a) a reference tonnage of 7 000 tonnes, for which an annual amount linked to access has been set at EUR 350 000;

    (b) support for developing Cabo Verde’s sectoral fisheries policy, amounting to EUR 430 000 per year;

    B. whereas the implementation of the Protocol requires the use of operational appropriations, as explained below:

    EUR million (to three decimal places)

    DG MARE

     

     

    Year
    2024

    Year
    2025

    Year
    2026

    Year
    2027

    Year
    2028

    TOTAL

    □ Operational appropriations

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Budget line 08.05.01

    Commitments

    (1a)

    0.780

    0.780

    0.780

    0.780

    0.780

    3.900

    Payments

    (2 a)

    0.780

    0.780

    0.780

    0.780

    0.780

    3.900

     

    C. whereas the annual amount for commitment and payment appropriations is established during the annual budgetary procedure, including for the reserve line for protocols not yet having entered into force at the beginning of the year;

    1. Notes that the support allocated to the Protocol should meet the objectives of cooperation in the fields of sustainable exploitation of fishery resources, aquaculture, sustainable development of the oceans, protection of the marine environment, and the blue economy; considers that this should be thoroughly scrutinised to ensure that this is done effectively during the implementation of the Protocol; notes that the support has a direct link to the principles of the Samoa Agreement[3] reinforcing the Union’s external action towards African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and taking account, in particular, of the Union’s objectives with regard to democratic principles and human rights, strengthening EU presence in the region and the cooperation with an important strategic partner;

    2. Recommends that, for future agreements, an impact assessment of the added value and socio-economic benefits derived from the previous agreement be taken into account; considers that this assessment should guide the negotiation and renewal of subsequent agreements to ensure that they align with the objectives of sustainable development and efficient use of the EU’s financial resources;

    3. Notes that the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Cabo Verde had not yet entered into force at the beginning of this year;

    4. Recalls that the IIA requires that amounts provided for in the budget for the renewal of fisheries agreements that enter into force after 1 January of the financial year concerned be put in the reserve;

    5. Recalls that the use of the appropriations in the reserve requires a transfer in accordance with Article 31 of the Financial Regulation for the amount concerned from reserve line 30 02 02 to operational line 08 05 01;

    6. Recalls that the Financial Regulation requires the Commission to only sign a protocol with financial implications when appropriations are available on the operational line;

    7. Notes that the Protocol with Cabo Verde was signed on 23 July 2024;

    8. Expresses its concern that no request for a transfer was submitted to the Committee on Budgets before the signing of the Protocol;

    9. Takes note of the information from the Commission that for 2024 part of the unused appropriations for the implementation of the fisheries agreement with Greenland was available on operational line 08 05 01 and would be used for the implementation of the Protocol with Cabo Verde;

    10. Considers that this practice does not respect the provisions of the IIA; furthermore, maintains that appropriations are to be used for the purpose for which they have been entered into the budget;

    11. Notes the relatively small amount linked to the implementation of the Protocol with Cabo Verde, which might explain why the Commission has deviated from the required procedure; considers this to be a special situation that can be accepted by way of an exception;

    12. Demands that the Commission act in compliance with the provisions of the IIA for any future fisheries agreement regardless of the amount involved;

    13. Stresses that the financial programming of line 08 05 01 needs to be enough to cater for the financial obligations for 2025-2027, subject to the decision of the budgetary authority in the annual budgetary procedures; in this regard, notes that line 08 05 01 in the 2025 Draft Budget and in the Council Position on the 2025 Draft Budget includes an amount of EUR 150 560 000 in commitment appropriations and EUR 135 275 000 in payment appropriations; calls for scrutiny regarding the financial programming of line 08 05 01 in the annual budgets of 2026 and 2027;

    14. Concludes that the Committee on Budgets is in a position to advise the Committee on Fisheries, as the committee responsible, to recommend approval of the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde.

     

     

    ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS
    FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR FOR BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT HAS RECEIVED INPUT

    The rapporteur for budgetary assessment declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

    PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE ASKED FOR BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT

    Title

    Conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde

    References

    11267/2024 – C10-0087/2024 – 2024/0133(NLE)

    Committee(s) responsible

    PECH

     

     

     

     Date announced in plenary

    BUDG

    19.9.2024

    Rapporteur for budgetary assessment

     Date appointed

    Hélder Sousa Silva

    16.9.2024

    Discussed in committee

    14.10.2024

     

     

     

    Date adopted

    21.11.2024

     

     

     

    Result of final vote

    +:

    –:

    0:

    26

    5

    0

    Members present for the final vote

    Georgios Aftias, Isabel Benjumea Benjumea, Tomasz Buczek, Tamás Deutsch, Angéline Furet, Thomas Geisel, Jean-Marc Germain, Sandra Gómez López, Fabienne Keller, Janusz Lewandowski, Giuseppe Lupo, Ignazio Roberto Marino, Fernando Navarrete Rojas, Matjaž Nemec, Danuše Nerudová, Ruggero Razza, Bogdan Rzońca, Hélder Sousa Silva, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Joachim Streit, Carla Tavares, Nils Ušakovs, Auke Zijlstra

    Substitutes present for the final vote

    Moritz Körner, Tiago Moreira de Sá

    Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote

    Christophe Bay, Udo Bullmann, Andrzej Buła, Gheorghe Falcă, Ştefan Muşoiu, Jan-Christoph Oetjen

     

    FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL
    IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT

    26

    +

    ECR

    Ruggero Razza, Bogdan Rzońca

    NI

    Thomas Geisel

    PPE

    Georgios Aftias, Isabel Benjumea Benjumea, Andrzej Buła, Gheorghe Falcă, Janusz Lewandowski, Fernando Navarrete Rojas, Danuše Nerudová, Hélder Sousa Silva

    PfE

    Tiago Moreira de Sá

    Renew

    Fabienne Keller, Moritz Körner, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Joachim Streit

    S&D

    Udo Bullmann, Jean-Marc Germain, Sandra Gómez López, Giuseppe Lupo, Ştefan Muşoiu, Matjaž Nemec, Carla Tavares, Nils Ušakovs

    Verts/ALE

    Ignazio Roberto Marino, Nicolae Ştefănuță

     

    5

    –

    PfE

    Christophe Bay, Tomasz Buczek, Tamás Deutsch, Angéline Furet, Auke Zijlstra

     

     

    Key to symbols:

    + : in favour

    – : against

    0 : abstention

     

     

    OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT (5.12.2024)

    for the Committee on Fisheries

    on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde

    (11267/2024 – C10‑0087/2024 – 2024/0133(NLE))

    Rapporteur for opinion: Rosa Estaràs Ferragut

     

    SHORT JUSTIFICATION

    The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde (FPA) entered into force on 30 March 2007 for a period of 5 years, being tacitly renewable. A previous 5-year Protocol to the FPA entered into force on 20 May 2019 and expired on 19 May 2024.

    With a view to adopt a new Protocol to the FPA, the European Commission conducted negotiations with the Republic of Cabo Verde. Following these negotiations, a new Protocol was initialled on 15 April 2024. This new Protocol covers a period of five years, allowing Union vessels to access Cabo Verde’s fishing zone and to fish for tuna and associated species there, in compliance with the measures adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The aim is also to enhance cooperation between the EU and Cabo Verde, thereby creating a partnership framework within which to develop a sustainable fisheries policy and the responsible exploitation of fishery resources in Cabo Verde’s waters, in the interest of both Parties.

    The EU’s financial contribution allocated to the Protocol is EUR 780 000 per year. This total is broken down into an annual amount of EUR 350 000 for access to fishery resources and another EUR 430 000 for the development of Cabo Verde’s sectoral fisheries policy, which represents an increase for sectoral support in comparison with the previous protocol. 

    Cabo Verde’s economy heavily relies on fisheries, which plays a crucial role in food security and employment for local communities. Artisanal fishing is vital for the livelihoods of many coastal communities. However, commercial fishing operations are also prominent targeting high-value species like tuna, which can affect local resources. Challenges such as overfishing, illegal fishing and climate change pose significant threats to fish stocks, marine ecosystems, and the livelihoods of local communities that depend on fishing. Furthermore, while women play a vital role in the fisheries sector of Cabo Verde, social norms and institutional barriers reinforce their marginalisation especially in rural areas. Overall, fisheries in Cabo Verde are a vital part of the economy and culture, and, therefore, there is a pressing need for sustainable management to ensure the long-term health of marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

    Your rapporteur takes the view that the Protocol promotes the responsible and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources and the development of the national fisheries policy in Cabo Verde and is in the interest of both Parties. For this reason, your rapporteur is proposing that the protocol be approved.

    *******

    The Committee on Development calls on the Committee on Fisheries, as the committee responsible, to recommend approval of the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde (2024-2029).

    ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS
    FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

    The rapporteur for the opinion declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

     

    PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

    Title

    Conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde

    References

    11267/2024 – C10-0087/2024 – 2024/0133(NLE)

    Committee(s) responsible

    PECH

     

     

     

    Opinion by

     Date announced in plenary

    DEVE

    19.9.2024

    Rapporteur for the opinion

     Date appointed

    Rosa Estaràs Ferragut

    15.10.2024

    Date adopted

    4.12.2024

     

     

     

    Result of final vote

    +:

    –:

    0:

    15

    0

    0

    Members present for the final vote

    Barry Andrews, Robert Biedroń, Udo Bullmann, Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, Niels Geuking, Charles Goerens, György Hölvényi, Murielle Laurent, Reinhold Lopatka, Isabella Lövin, Lukas Mandl, Tiago Moreira de Sá, Kristoffer Storm, Marco Tarquinio

    Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote

    Monika Hohlmeier

     

    FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

    15

    +

    ECR

    Kristoffer Storm

    PPE

    Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, Niels Geuking, Monika Hohlmeier, Reinhold Lopatka, Lukas Mandl

    PfE

    György Hölvényi, Tiago Moreira de Sá

    Renew

    Barry Andrews, Charles Goerens

    S&D

    Robert Biedroń, Udo Bullmann, Murielle Laurent, Marco Tarquinio

    Verts/ALE

    Isabella Lövin

     

     

     

    Key to symbols:

    + : in favour

    – : against

    0 : abstention

     

     

    PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

    Title

    Conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde

    References

    11267/2024 – C10-0087/2024 – 2024/0133(NLE)

    Date of consultation or request for consent

    26.7.2024

     

     

     

    Committee(s) responsible

    PECH

     

     

     

    Committees asked for opinions

     Date announced in plenary

    DEVE

    19.9.2024

     

     

     

    Rapporteurs

     Date appointed

    Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral

    19.9.2024

     

     

     

    Discussed in committee

    4.9.2024

    4.12.2024

     

     

    Date adopted

    28.1.2025

     

     

     

     

    BUDG

    21.11.2024

     

     

     

    Result of final vote

    +:

    –:

    0:

    22

    4

    0

    Members present for the final vote

    Sakis Arnaoutoglou, Thomas Bajada, Stephen Nikola Bartulica, Asger Christensen, Carmen Crespo Díaz, Ton Diepeveen, Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral, Siegbert Frank Droese, Nicolás González Casares, Anja Hazekamp, France Jamet, Isabelle Le Callennec, Isabella Lövin, Giuseppe Milazzo, Francisco José Millán Mon, Jessica Polfjärd, André Rodrigues, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Sander Smit, António Tânger Corrêa, Emma Wiesner

    Substitutes present for the final vote

    Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Mélissa Camara, Sofie Eriksson, Sebastian Everding

    Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote

    Kinga Kollár

    Date tabled

    30.1.2025

     

    FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

    22

    +

    ECR

    Stephen Nikola Bartulica, Giuseppe Milazzo, Bert-Jan Ruissen

    PPE

    Carmen Crespo Díaz, Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral, Kinga Kollár, Isabelle Le Callennec, Francisco José Millán Mon, Jessica Polfjärd, Sander Smit

    PfE

    Ton Diepeveen, António Tânger Corrêa

    Renew

    Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Asger Christensen, Emma Wiesner

    S&D

    Sakis Arnaoutoglou, Thomas Bajada, Sofie Eriksson, Nicolás González Casares, André Rodrigues

    Verts/ALE

    Mélissa Camara, Isabella Lövin

     

    4

    –

    ESN

    Siegbert Frank Droese

    PfE

    France Jamet

    The Left

    Sebastian Everding, Anja Hazekamp

     

     

    Key to symbols:

    + : in favour

    – : against

    0 : abstention

     

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Banning wildlife trade can increase trade of other threatened species

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Takahiro Kubo, Senior Researcher in National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) & Visiting Researcher in ICCS, University of Oxford

    Governments often use bans to protect wildlife that’s most threatened by trade. However, in our recent study we ask the question: could banning wildlife trade in one threatened species increase the trade in other threatened species?

    The expansion of online markets has made it easier for people to buy and sell wildlife. This potential for larger-scale commercial trade creates a potential threat to wildlife, particular when populations are small, which is often the case for species that inhabit islands.

    To deal with the risk of overexploitation, the government of Japan, one of the world’s largest wildlife markets, banned the trade of three threatened species: the giant water bug, the Tokyo salamander and the golden venus chub.

    While the ban successfully halted legal sales of the policy-targeted species, it had an unintended consequence: an increase in the sales of similar, non-banned species, some of which are threatened.

    This pattern, known as the “spillover effect”, suggests that when a species is no longer available, demand often moves to alternative species rather than disappearing entirely. However, these effects affected different species in different ways, with the spillover lasting for more than a year for water bugs, but disappearing over the same period for the salamanders and freshwater fish.

    These spillovers can be problematic as they can drive buyers to seek exotic pet species from other countries or even continents. Based on past experience in Japan and elsewhere, we know that these are often then released into nature by those that can no longer keep them. This increases the pressure on native fauna through competition and the spread of disease which may threaten not only native wildlife but also human health. Our findings highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to wildlife trade regulations – one that considers both direct conservation efforts and indirect global impacts.

    Balancing bans

    While wildlife trade bans can play an important step, their ability to address overexploitation on their own is limited. To conserve species, we need complementary strategies that can manage demand and monitor supply.

    Prior to a ban, it is key to work to reduce the demand for the species to be targeted or redirect it to species that are well managed and not of conservation concern. This would be likely to minimise the effects of any unintended spillover after the trade ban comes into effect. If buyers understand why a species is at risk and are offered sustainable alternatives, they may be less likely to shift their interest to other vulnerable wildlife.

    Governments also need to enforce stronger monitoring to be able to track which species are traded and in what amount. This may be hard to implement across all trade but is feasible when we talk about online legal trade, which represents a large part of the global wildlife trade. Instead of focusing only on banned species, authorities should keep an eye on similar species that could become the next target for trade.

    For this to be effective, international cooperation, in the form of data sharing, for example, is critical since wildlife trade crosses borders. Countries need to work together to track and regulate trade so that bans don’t simply push demand to other regions.

    Finally, promoting legal, ethical and sustainable alternatives – such as responsible captive breeding programs or well-managed wild source populations – can help meet consumer demand without harming wild species.

    Our study serves as an important reminder: conservation has no silver bullets and we must be willing to embrace a multitude of tools if we are to deal with the different sides of an issue as complex as the wildlife trade. If we only focus on banning species without considering how the market will react, we risk simply moving the risk of extinction from one species to the next. A well-rounded approach – one that includes consumer behaviour change, improved monitoring and sustainable alternatives – offers the best chance of protecting wildlife for the long term.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Takahiro Kubo receives funding from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). He is a member of the IUCN SSC CEC Behaviour Change Taskforce.

    Diogo Veríssimo is the Chair of the IUCN SSC CEC Behaviour Change Taskforce.

    Taro Mieno does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Banning wildlife trade can increase trade of other threatened species – https://theconversation.com/banning-wildlife-trade-can-increase-trade-of-other-threatened-species-247148

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $15.8M to Help Dairy Farmers Protect Water Quality

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that 22 farms have been awarded over $15.8 million in funding through the first round of the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Enhanced Nutrient and Methane Management Program (CAFO ENMP). Funding from the program will go toward projects that help farmers protect water quality and mitigate the impacts of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Funding for this program was announced as part of the Governor’s 2024 State of the State and builds on the commitment that Governor Hochul has made to support dairy farm modernization and sustainability.

    “The dairy industry is a cornerstone of New York’s economy, thanks to the dedication of dairy farmers and manufacturers across the state whose work has made this commodity New York’s largest agricultural sector,” Governor Hochul said. “I am proud to help our farmers reduce their carbon footprint while continuing to put world-class products on the tables of New Yorkers for generations to come.”

    Through the first round of funding, the program will help CAFO-permitted farmers implement projects that enhance manure management systems that sequester carbon and conserve manure nutrients applied to fields and soil to protect water quality. The program also supports advancements in precision feed management to balance nutrients and reduce methane emissions. The estimated Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction for all projects is 122,833 MTCO2e a year, the equivalent of taking 28,651 gas powered vehicles off the road for one year.

    A total of 22 projects have been awarded through the State’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts via two funding tracks. Seventeen projects were awarded in Track A, which will go toward Nutrient and GHG Management Best Management Practices Systems. Five projects were awarded in Track B, which will go toward Manure Storage Cover and Flare Projects and associated practices. The awards are as follows:

    Capital Region

    • $11,414.38 awarded to the Saratoga County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Hudson-Hoosic Watershed.

    Central New York

    • $1,025,759.00 awarded to the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with two farms in the Chenango Watershed.
    • $293,850.00 awarded to the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Oneida Lake Watershed.

    Finger Lakes

    • $3,192,578.00 awarded to the Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with three farms in the Seneca Watershed.
    • $2,167,334.00 awarded to the Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Chemung Watershed.
    • $1,248,588.05 awarded to the Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with three farms in the Upper Genesee Watershed.
    • $608,987.20 awarded to the Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Lower Genesee Watershed.
    • $246,900.00 awarded to the Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Oak Orchard – Twelve Mile Creek Watershed.

    Mohawk Valley

    • $942,162.50 awarded to the Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Mohawk Watershed.
    • $741,861.35 awarded to Herkimer County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Mohawk Watershed.
    • $98,483.68 awarded to the Oneida County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Mohawk Watershed.
    • $54,611.89 awarded to Oneida County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Oneida Lake Watershed.

    North Country

    • $810,571.00 awarded to the Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Lake Champlain Watershed.
    • $526,926.21 awarded to the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the St. Lawrence Watershed.
    • $457,056.00 awarded to the St. Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the St. Lawrence Watershed.

    Western New York

    • $1,909,650.00 awarded to the Cattaraugus County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Cattaraugus Watershed.
    • $1,470,815.00 awarded to the Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Chautauqua-Conneaut Watershed.

    Full project descriptions are available here.

    New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball said, “New York State is home to some of the most passionate dairy farmers who are not only producing and processing some of the very best dairy products in the world, but also working hard to leave the industry better for future generations. This funding is a true testament to the value of helping our farmers transition to climate-safe practices that preserve our natural resources while continuing to protect their businesses and nourish our communities. I want to thank our Soil and Water Districts and our farmers for the work they’re doing, and I look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition.”

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “DEC applauds Governor Hochul’s continued investments to bolster the sustainability of New York’s agricultural industry and provide resources to farmers who serve as crucial partners in the conservation of land and other natural resources. DEC’s requirements play an important role in protecting water quality and this funding will help ensure best management practices are in place and nutrient management plans implemented on livestock farms.”

    New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee Chair Matt Brower said, “The requirements for the CAFO General Permit can result in significant financial and management challenges for farm operations in New York. Having these funds available to farmers is important to help them meet those challenges, while also improving water quality and addressing climate change concerns. We are fortunate to have such a great partnership between the farmers and the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, which makes the planning and implementation of the projects possible. The State Soil and Water Conservation Committee greatly appreciates the efforts of the Districts.”

    Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “New York dairy is a pillar of our state’s economy, as our largest agricultural sector and a critical job creator in rural communities and beyond. Clean air, water, and healthy soil are fundamental to thriving farm businesses and, therefore, a reliable food supply. Our state has a major stake in providing direct financial support to dairy farmers who are pioneering climate-forward practices that protect our environment and reduce emissions. The CAFO Enhanced Nutrient and Methane Management Program we established last year is helping make that happen and we congratulate the farmers across New York State whose projects have received funding in this first round.”

    Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, “As a major producer of safe and nutritious food, the dairy industry is a critical part of New York’s agricultural economy. I’m glad to see 22 farms benefit from funding that will help them reduce their carbon footprint and assist with milk storage technologies. For both our climate and our food supply, it’s important that we continue to support our dairy producers through initiatives like these.”

    New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said, “As the fifth-largest dairy producer in the United States, New York is a powerhouse in the industry, ranking number one in cottage cheese, sour cream and yogurt production. And, as stewards of the land, dairy farmers have a vested interest in protecting soil and water quality, reducing their carbon footprint and implementing modern technology to preserve farming for future generations. By awarding CAFO ENMP funding to soil and water conservation districts across the state, Gov. Hochul is sending a strong message that dairy farmers are trusted partners in sustainability and environmental health.”

    Under the Governor’s leadership, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget included additional funding to help boost the dairy industry, including $34 million in capital funding over two years to expand on-farm milk storage capacity, improve efficiencies, invest in milk transfer systems, cooling technologies, and other projects to further opportunities for dairy farmers to transport or store their products.

    The FY 2025 Budget also included a nearly $82 investment in agricultural stewardship programs and initiatives, such as the Climate Resilient Farming grant program, that are helping farms to implement environmentally sustainable practices and combat climate change. In her 2025 State of the State Address, Governor Hochul proposed additional funding to research and implement climate-resilient practices on dairy farms.

    About the Dairy Industry in New York State

    New York State is home to nearly 3,000 dairy producers that produce 16.1 billion pounds of milk annually, making New York the nation’s fifth largest dairy state. With dairy farming accounting for half of the state’s agricultural economy, New York’s unique and talented dairy producers and processors provide significant contributions to New York’s agriculture industry, the economy, and to the health of our communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Merkley Call for Reinstatement of Inspectors General Illegally Fired by Trump

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    February 03, 2025

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they are demanding the immediate reinstatement of Inspectors General (IGs) from at least 18 government agencies, in a letter to Donald Trump strongly condemning his recent decision to remove them from their crucial posts. 

    The IGs who were removed included those overseeing the Departments of Defense, State, Education, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Energy, Commerce, Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Personnel Management, the Small Business Administration, the Social Security Administration, and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. In the letter, which Wyden and Merkley sent with 30 colleagues, the senators underscored that Trump’s actions violated the law and threaten the independence of these non-partisan watchdogs.   

    “Inspectors General are responsible for providing independent oversight of federal programs by working to root out waste, fraud, and abuse and protect taxpayer dollars – oversight our federal agencies desperately need,” the senators wrote. “The federal government and the American people count on these officials to operate in a professional and non-partisan way to hold our government accountable—regardless of who is in power.  Without strong, qualified, and independent officials to lead these critical efforts, the Administration risks wasting taxpayer dollars, and allowing fraud and misconduct to go unchecked.” 

    The senators continued: “While the President has the authority to remove Inspectors General from office, Congress has established clear requirements to ensure such removals are transparent and are not politicized,” wrote the senators. “With respect to your firings Friday night, Congress has not received either the mandatory 30-day notice or a rationale for their removal.  Because your actions violated the law, these IGs should be reinstated immediately, until such time as you have provided in writing ‘the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons’ for each of the affected Inspectors General and the 30-day notice period has expired.”   

    Full text of the letter is here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The world wildlife trade regulator is 50 – here’s what has worked and what needs to change

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dan Challender, Senior Research Fellow, Conservation Science and Policy, University of Oxford

    Vicuña are no longer globally threatened, thanks, in part, to protection under the Cites convention. ecuadorplanet/Shutterstock, CC BY-NC-ND

    Have you ever bought a souvenir from a local market on holiday? Or tried to travel overseas with a guitar? If so, you may have been stopped at the airport if your item contains animal or plant parts. This is because most countries, and also the EU, implement Cites, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

    Cites is the main global agreement regulating international wildlife trade to ensure the protection of the 41,000 species covered by the convention. Under Cites, trade measures are established for species to ensure that international trade is legal and ecologically sustainable. For most species (96%), this comprises close regulation of trade. For more threatened species (3%), commercial international trade in wild animals and plants is banned (the remaining 1% refers to a third category of species protected in at least one country).

    Under Cites, countries must prohibit international trade in violation of the convention. They are also encouraged to restrict or prohibit the collection of – and domestic trade in – Indigenous species included under Cites. Crucially, countries must enact laws to implement the convention. By design, Cites relies mainly on state-led law-enforcement to achieve its goals.

    This year, as Cites marks its 50th anniversary, our new study evaluates the convention’s effectiveness. It asks whether it solves the problem for which it was designed, as well as outlining how it could be more effective.

    Taking stock

    Cites has had several successes. It can boast an effective system of international cooperation among 184 countries and the EU. Much international trade in Cites-listed species is legally permitted and has been determined to be sustainable. The convention has helped raise the profile of, and catalysed conservation action for, species threatened by international trade, such as pangolins and seahorses.

    The convention has also supported the recovery of species, such as crocodiles and vicuña, a member of the camel family that lives in South America. Since 2010, Cites has generated awareness of, and coordinated action to address, illegal wildlife trade, most notably through the establishment of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime.

    Commercial, international trade in wild pangolins is prohibited under Cites.
    Afrianto Silalahi/Shutterstock, CC BY-NC-ND

    However, there are some major problems with the Cites approach. Illegal or unsustainable wildlife trade involving thousands of Cites-listed species occurred in at least 162 signatory countries from 2015 to 2021. This includes countries such as the US that are well resourced to deter it. A predominant focus on state-led law enforcement is therefore proving ineffective in many instances.

    We find that many law enforcement agencies are not well enough resourced to deter illegal collection and trade of species. Simply creating laws does not necessarily mean that people or businesses will comply with them.

    Also, regulating or prohibiting international wildlife trade does not necessarily reduce the threat to the species concerned. These measures may signal scarcity and lead to price increases, which could accelerate over-exploitation by incentivising speculative collection and stockpiling. In this context, there is much room for improvement.

    What needs to change

    Deciding on appropriate Cites trade measures for species relies primarily on biological criteria, such as population size. Typically, that process does not involve consultation with the people extracting or trading wildlife. Nor does it really consider insights from the social sciences, including economics, on the likely impact of trade measures on wildlife and people. Decisions by the world’s governments to establish these measures are therefore highly uncertain.

    To better prevent species from being overexploited for international trade through Cites, countries need to have a greater understanding of how different species are traded. This would enable them to identify the most appropriate combination of rights, rules and decision-making procedures along supply chains, and then pre-test and implement interventions specific to these systems.

    Countries therefore need to analyse how species are traded. This would include looking at the relevant property rights and other laws that affect people involved in the trade, as well as understanding factors such as incentives for people to harvest species, the extent to which trade contributes to peoples’ income, and market size for traded species and products.

    Countries could then reconfigure rights and rules so that they are aligned along supply chains. This is needed to avoid creating loopholes and facilitating illegal trade. Where trade (both within countries and between countries) is taking place, these arrangements should support it to be legal and sustainable. That’s the ultimate aim of Cites. The relevant actors, including collectors and traders should also be consulted – or better yet involved in co-designing regulations – so that the rules are legitimate to them.



    Read more:
    From rhino horn snuff to pangolin livestock feed: we analysed half a century of patents to track the wildlife trade’s evolution

    The most appropriate interventions will depend on each country’s analysis of its own trading situation and their role in the trade of given species. They may include devolving land or use rights to Indigenous peoples so that they manage and can benefit from the species. Or interventions may be programmes to reduce consumer demand or develop responsible markets for wildlife products as appropriate.

    The approach we propose in our study has the potential to reduce reliance on state-led law enforcement along international supply chains. Pluralist regulatory approaches, including self-regulation, community monitoring or the engagement of appropriate third parties, could be used to support compliance with new rules at each stage of supply chains. Where property rights are appropriately assigned, clear and enforceable, this could mean less reliance on state law-enforcement. This is because local people with a sense of ownership of wildlife are more likely to help protect it rather than overexploit it.

    How could Cites be more effective? By understanding the dynamic trade systems for species in greater detail. Then, identifying the most appropriate combination of rights, rules and decision-making procedures to achieve sustainability throughout supply chains. And, finally, integrating Cites trade measures within these broader systems.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Dan Challender receives funding from the Global Challenges Research Fund through the Trade, Development, and the Environment Hub, the A. G. Leventis Foundation, and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. He serves as CITES Focal Point for the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Pangolin Specialist Group, and is a member of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic, and Social Policy (CEESP)/SSC Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group.

    Michael ‘t Sas-Rolfes has consulted as a technical advisor to Rhinomics, an initiative working to develop an ethical and sustainable trading model for the benefit of rhino conservation. He serves on the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) African Rhino Specialist Group, and is a member of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic, and Social Policy (CEESP)/SSC Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group.

    – ref. The world wildlife trade regulator is 50 – here’s what has worked and what needs to change – https://theconversation.com/the-world-wildlife-trade-regulator-is-50-heres-what-has-worked-and-what-needs-to-change-248268

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests 32 illegal aliens in Palm Beach County enforcement action

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    February 3, 2025Tampa, FL, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

    ICE Miami, Stuart Sub-office @HSI_Miami @CBPHQ & the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission conducted a multi-agency immigration enforcement operation spanning several counties in Southern Florida, netting 32 arrests of criminal illegal aliens. The illegal aliens were from Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Cuba, Nicaragua with criminal convictions including prostitution, robbery, fraud, larceny, DUI, & narcotics possession.

    STUART, Fla. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in Palm Beach County, Fla., recently netted 32 illegal aliens from various counties with criminal convictions which included drug possession, prostitution, illegal re-entry, resisting an officer, robbery, probation violation, fraud (illegal use of a credit card), larceny, cocaine possession, driving under the influence and possession of stolen property.

    ICE officers and agents in Miami, in coordination with the U. S. Border Patrol, conducted targeted immigration enforcement operations in Palm Beach County from January 27 to 28. The operation netted 32 illegal aliens from Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Cuba, and Nicaragua.

    All illegal aliens arrested during this operation will be detained pending their removal from the United States or a hearing before an immigration judge.

    Some highlights from the arrests include:

    • A 30-year-old Venezuelan male with criminal convictions for resisting officer, drug possession, and robbery who is being detained pending his removal from the United States.
    • A 44-year-old Haitian female with criminal convictions for battery, drug possession, prostitution, and narcotic equipment possession who is awaiting a removal hearing by an immigration judge.
    • A 24-year-old Cuban male with criminal convictions for fraud, failure to appear, larceny, and probation violation who is in custody pending removal from the U.S.
    • A 25-year-old Guatemalan male with criminal convictions for illegal re-entry, cocaine possession, and driving under the influence who is being detained pending removal from the U.S.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General Appoints Arnaud Peral of France United Nations Resident Coordinator in Philippines

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Arnaud Peral of France as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines, with the host Government’s approval, on 1 February.

    Mr. Peral was most recently the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Tunisia since 2020.  Prior to that, he served successively as United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Ecuador, UNDP Country Director in Colombia, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in México and then Brazil, Programme Manager and Chief of Staff in UNDP´s Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean in New York and Programme Officer in UNDP Cuba.

    Prior to joining the UN system in 2000, Mr. Peral served as Cooperation Counsellor for Scientific and Technical Cooperation in the French Embassy in Cuba, Research Assistant in the Ministry of Environment in France and Research Assistant in public policy in the Ministry of Agriculture in Chile.

    Mr. Peral holds a master’s degree in development economics from the University of Paris X-Nanterre and a bachelor’s degree in economic policy from the University Pierre Mendes France, Grenoble.

    __________

    * This supersedes Press Release SG/A/1982 of 17 September 2020.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to a study investigating the accumulation of microplastics in human organs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in Nature Medicine looks at microplastic accumulation in human organs. 

    Prof Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University, said:

    “I can see this paper getting a lot of attention due to its scary-sounding title, but I’d urge caution. Before we get headlines like “Our brains are now made of plastics,” we need to step back and look at how this study was conducted and what that might mean for the results. 

    “There are two main questions to consider with this study: 1) Are the results correct (exceptional claims need exceptional evidence)? 2) If so, what would that mean for human health? 

    “Let’s look at the data first. I have questions here.

    “The press release says the authors tested 28 brain samples from 2016 and 24 from 2024, which is only 52 samples in total. There is not enough data to make firm conclusions on the occurrence of microplastics in New Mexico, let alone globally. 

    “Only data from two years – 2016 and 2024 are presented. It is not explained why only these two years were studied, but regardless, you simply can’t make a trend from data from just two years. Data from 2017-2023 would be needed to say if there was an actual trend or if it was just a random variation. 

    “The concentrations of microplastics in brain samples from 2024 have much less variation than any of the other data. This does not seem likely to me, but it is not explained. Similarly, in 2016, the kidney samples seemed to contain a more diverse range of plastics than liver samples, but in 2024, the liver had a more diverse range. The brain samples are consistent at both time points. This also seems odd but is not discussed.

    “The main analytical method used in this study was pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. This method can give false results when used to measure plastics because fats (which the brain is mainly made of) give the same pyrolysis products as polyethylene (the main plastic reported) [1]. The authors did try to address this concern but I am not certain they were able to account for everything. 

    “It is also challenging to properly account for potential contamination while handling or analysing samples in microplastic studies. This paper says that the findings are not likely to be lab contamination because samples were consistently handled and processed. I don’t think this is necessarily true. After all, consistent protocols could potentially result in consistent contamination. Even standard lab equipment, such as disposable lab gloves, can give false microplastic readings [2]. We also don’t know what happened to the samples during the original autopsy (bodybags are made of polyethylene, for example). There is also the issue of background contamination in any laboratory that needs to be controlled for [3]. Plastic contamination is almost everywhere, so how can we be confident that any particles found are evidence that plastic is crossing membranes in the human body or if it is just contamination from plastic in the clothes or lab equipment or background contamination in the air, etc?

    “But let’s assume there are plastics in our brains. What would that mean? 

    “There is a suggestion that microplastics might be associated with brain disease based on testing the brains from 12 people with dementia. This is not enough data to base this conclusion on (the patients didn’t all have the same kind of dementia). 

    “To get to the brain, microplastics would need to cross the gut wall (which is relatively thick and well-regulated), be transported in the blood, and then cross the blood-brain barrier, which is also very well-regulated. Certainly, more work would be needed to see if this was even possible. 

    “If microplastics could get into the brain, then theoretically, so could other small particulates that we are exposed to every day, e.g. from air pollution. If so any actual effects might be down to those substances – but the authors only tested for microplastics.

    “We don’t know if microplastics or any other particles would stay in the brain or if they would be removed by the body. Again more work would be needed to test this.

    “Overall, the work is interesting, but the low sample numbers and potential analytical issues mean that care should be taken when interpreting the results. While it is not impossible that there are microplastics in the brains of some people, this study does not prove that this occurs, and, as the authors themselves note, there is as yet no strong evidence of any health effects.”

    [1] Rauert C. et al. Extraction and pyrolysis-GC-MS analysis of polyethylene in samples with medium to high lipid content. Journal of Environmental Exposure Assessment 2022. 1(2): p. 13. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/jeea.2022.04  

    [2] Witzig C.S. et al. When good intentions go bad—false positive microplastic detection caused by disposable gloves. Environmental Science & Technology 2020. 54(19): p. 12164-12172. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c03742

    [3] Rauert C. et al. Blueprint for the design construction and validation of a plastic and phthalate-minimised laboratory. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2024. 468: p. 133803. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133803  

    Prof Tamara Galloway, Professor of Ecotoxicology, University of Exeter, said:

    “Microplastics are a ubiquitous consequence of modern life, present in air, water and food and it should come as no surprise to find that most people have microplastics present in their bodies. What we don’t yet know is what the implications are for human health.

    “To understand more about this, Nihart and colleagues took a detailed look at how microplastics were distributed in the human brain, using postmortem samples. Their study identified tiny shards and flakes of plastic in the brains they studied, most of which were made out of polyethylene, a plastic widely used in food and drinks packaging and the most common component of plastic litter. 

    “Two things stand out from this study. The first is that there was no relationship between the age of the subjects and the amount of microplastics present in the brain samples. This is important because it suggests that microplastics do not accumulate continuously in brain tissues as we age. 

    “The second thing to stand out is the increase in levels of contamination over time, with a 50% increase in levels of microplastics present in the brain samples collected over the last 8 years, reflecting the increased production and use of plastics over a similar timeframe. This is significant because it suggests that if we were to reduce environmental contamination with microplastics, the levels of human exposure would also decrease, offering a strong incentive to focus on innovations that reduce exposure.

    “A final note of interest is in the nature of the contamination. Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely encountered polymer in environmental plastic litter, it is used for making disposable food and drinks packaging amongst other uses and its abundance in human brain tissues reflects its abundance in wildlife samples. Perhaps of more concern is the apparent presence of other polymers including polyvinylchloride (PVC) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBD), both of which were present in smaller amounts in the samples. PVC has many uses eg. in construction and packaging, and SBD rubber is used in car tyres and other items.

    “Both substances have raised concerns over their potential environment and human health effects and whilst the current study offers no evidence that they are causing harm, it does highlight the importance of understanding more about the many materials we use in daily life.”

    Prof Theodore B. Henry, Professor of Environmental Toxicology from the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society at Heriot-Watt University, said:

    “The Nihart et al. (2025) article presents interesting initial results about contamination of human tissues by plastics, and, as with any such results, we must be careful not to speculate about the implications until independent confirmation can validate the findings. 

    “Without doubt the increasing presence of plastic particles in the environment and potential negative effects on humans are a concern. 

    “The difficulty in assessing the accumulation of plastic particles in internal organs because of a lack of analytical methods is addressed to some extent in this paper and this advancement is noteworthy. 

    “A disadvantage of the pyrolysis-GC-MS analytical method used in the study is that because any plastic polymers present are disintegrated into small fragments in the process it is then not possible to determine the size, characteristics, or number of particles present in the original sample.  Another challenge of interpretation of these results is the difficulty in finding suitable control tissues, or tissues that have not been exposed to plastics, for which presence of polymers does not occur and the presence in the tissues can be compared (essentially all tissues had plastic polymers, which does suggest that there could be artifacts or analytical issues that are affecting the analyses that are not accounted for). 

    “The reported presence of plastic particles in histological sections of tissues by polarised wave microscopy should be verified independently and could readily be done within existing banks of preserved human tissue sections held at many institutions.  Given the levels of particles that are reported in the present study it is surprising that similar particles have not been detected in other studies or examinations of the same tissues that have applied the same techniques.  The authors of this article correctly note in their conclusion that their results of detection of plastic polymers in tissues are associative and not linked to any negative health outcome.”

     

    Dr Antonis Myridakis, Lecturer in Environmental Sciences, Brunel University of London, said:

    “The study by Nihart et al. provides compelling evidence that microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) (plastic particles from 500 µm down to 1 nm) can cross the blood-brain barrier (the security filter protecting the brain from harmful entities) and accumulate in human brain tissue, particularly polyethylene, with concentrations increasing over time. The authors employ state-of -the-art and complimentary methodologies to detect, identify and quantify these particles (Py-GC-MS, SEM-EDS, ATR-FTIR), strengthening the credibility of their findings.”

     Does the press release accurately reflect the science?

    “Yes, the study does support convincingly the claim that these particles are detectable in human brains. However, it is crucial to emphasise that the study does not establish causality between MPs/NPs and any negative health impacts.”

    Is this good quality research? Are the conclusions backed up by solid data?

    “The methodology is robust and multidisciplinary, using complementary analytical techniques to measure MPs and NPs. The data show a trend of increasing microplastic accumulation over time and higher concentrations in dementia cases. However, the sample size remains relatively small, and causation cannot be inferred at this stage.”

    How does this work fit with existing evidence?

    “This study aligns with recent findings that MPs/NPs are present in blood and major organs. The discovery of MPs in cerebrovascular walls and immune cells adds new insight into their potential role in neuroinflammation and warrants further investigation.”

    Have the authors accounted for confounders? Are there important limitations?

    “The study controls for key demographic factors (age, sex, cause of death) and finds no correlation between age and MP accumulation, suggesting environmental exposure may be increasing over time. However, it does not account for lifestyle-related factors (diet, occupation, regional pollution exposure), which could influence individual MP burdens. The inevitable use of post-mortem samples also limits the ability for functional assessments of MP toxicity in living brains.”

    Real-world implications: Over-speculation or justified concern?

    “The finding that MPs are accumulating in human brains is concerning, however, it is too early to draw conclusions about direct health risks. Further research is needed to determine whether MPs actively contribute to neurological disorders or if they are merely bystanders in an increasingly plastic-polluted environment.”

    ‘Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains’ by Nihart et al. was published in Nature Medicine at 16:00 UK time on Monday 3rd February. 

    DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-03453-1

    Declared interests:

    Prof Oliver Jones “I am a Professor of Chemistry at RMIT University in Melbourne. I have no conflicts of interest to declare, but I have previously published research on microplastics in the environment. I have in the past received funds from the Environment Protection Authority Victoria and various Australian Water utilities for research into environmental pollution.”

    Prof Tamara Galloway “None”

    Prof Theodore B. Henry “None”

    Dr Antonis Myridakis “None”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study looking at omega-3 and biological ageing in humans

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in Nature Aging looks at the effects of of omega-3, vitamin D and exercise on biological ageing.

    Prof Dame Linda Partridge FRS FMedSci, Weldon Professor of Biometry at the Institute of Healthy Ageing, UCL; Biological Secretary of the Royal Society; and Founding Director Emeritus of the Max Planck Institute for the Biology of Ageing, said:

    “The press release describes a study that is part of a clinical trial and is hence experimental rather than observational in nature, greatly reducing the likely involvement of confounders.  The team previously found that intake of omega-3 alone reduced the rate of infections by 13% and the rate of falls by 10%, and that all three interventions (omega-3, vitamin D, exercise at home) combined had a significant additive benefit on reducing prefrailty by 39% and incident invasive cancer by 61% over a 3-year follow-up.  The press release inadvertently gives the misleading impression that these findings came from the current study.

    “The new study aimed to understand the molecular basis of the beneficial effects, and to develop biomarkers.  Clinical trials that investigate the effects of interventions to improve health during ageing have two big challenges.  First, there are multiple possible outcome measures because many aspects of health could be affected, and this can bring statistical problems.  Second, it may take a long time for any benefits to become apparent.  For both reasons, biomarkers are needed that report on the pathways to health improvements and that can predict clinical outcomes before they happen.

    “The biomarkers investigated were derived from several well authenticated DNA methylation clocks.  These clocks are trained to predict biological, as opposed to chronological age.  Individuals differ in the speed of change in their DNA methylation clocks and can thus be characterised as slow or fast agers.  These clock age deviations can be better predictors of time to death than chronological age.

    “Omega-3 intake alone had slowed 3 of the 4 clocks used at the end of the 3-year trial period, and those individuals that started with lower omega-3 levels showed the largest response.  All 3 treatments together slowed one of the 4 clocks.  Omega-3 treatment thus had the greatest effect on the clocks.  However, whether there is any direct link between the molecular events mediating the responses of the methylation clocks and the improvements in health awaits further study.

    “The limitations of the work are well discussed.  The study population was relatively healthy and homogeneous and longer term effects of the interventions are unknown.  The study was well conducted, and consistent with other studies showing slowing of molecular biomarkers of ageing by interventions that improve health at later ages.”

    Dr Julian Mutz, King’s Prize Research Fellow, King’s College London, said:

    “Evaluating the effectiveness of preventative strategies and interventions in improving health span (i.e., how long individuals live in good health) is challenging due to the long human lifespan.  Epigenetic aging clocks provide a proxy measure of biological aging and have the potential to play a crucial role in studies assessing such interventions.  While most research on biological aging and health-promoting interventions has been cross-sectional (examining correlations between epigenetic age and factors such as diet at a single time point), this study provides important preliminary evidence that epigenetic aging may slow over three years in response to intervention.

    “The authors identified a beneficial effect of daily omega-3 supplementation, particularly in individuals with lower baseline omega-3 levels.  However, no such effect was observed for vitamin D or a three-day-per-week home exercise program.  These findings contribute valuable new data but given the relatively small sample size (98 participants receiving omega-3 and 95 receiving a placebo) and the sample’s composition, which is healthier than the general population, the results should be considered preliminary.  Future trials should aim to assess the generalisability of these findings, including in younger populations.”

    Dr Mary Ni Lochlann, NIHR Research Fellow in Geriatric Medicine, Centre for Ageing Resilience in a Changing Environment, King’s College London, said:

    “It’s exciting to see these results showing the benefits of omega-3, vitamin D and exercise on ageing.  While the study was focused on healthy and active older adults, and led to a relatively small improvement in their ageing-biological-clocks, it adds to the growing evidence that these simple and fairly low-cost interventions are beneficial and, based on this and previous existing research, worth engaging in for adults as they get older.”

    Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor of Applied Statistics, Open University, said:

    “This is an interesting study.  It has some important limitations, as the researchers themselves make clear.  I think these put important boundaries around the evidence it can provide on the effects on aging of the treatments used in the clinical trial.  There’s just too much that we don’t know yet.

    “The press release mentions a key limitation, that there is no agreed gold-standard measure of biological aging.  Because of that, the researchers concentrated on four different biological clocks, but they also presented results on another two older biological clock measures in the main research paper, and indeed present a few findings on another two in the supplementary data tables.

    “These biological aging clocks were all developed by taking measurements of certain types of biomarker in large samples of people, and comparing them with the people’s chronological ages and death rates.  But the details of how the developers of the clocks analysed these data and produced their biological aging measures were different from one another, and there isn’t (yet) agreement on the best way to do that.  So the researchers on this new study analysed their data using several clocks, and reported the results from all of them.

    “I think it makes good sense to look at several clocks, but we have to take into account that they give different information about the effect of the treatments in the trial, and it’s not possible to say that the findings from one biological clock are better than those from another clock.

    “There is a certain amount of consistency on the findings, in that trial participants who took the omega-3 supplement had biological aging clocks that aged (on average) less over the three years of the study than was the case in people who didn’t take that supplement, at least for the main ‘clocks’ that the researchers considered.  But there was a lot of statistical variability between people in how big this change in biological aging actually was, and there were also quite substantial differences in the estimates of the changes based on different biological clocks.

    “One of the biological clocks produced the very neat finding that the three interventions in the trial (vitamin D supplements, omega-3 supplements, and a home exercise programme) seemed to add up in their effects, so that participants who had two of three interventions had more slowing of their biological clocks than those who had only one, and the clocks of those who had all three interventions had yet more slowing of their biological clocks.

    “But that doesn’t mean that this particular clock is getting at an underlying truth more reliably than the other clocks, that don’t show this additive pattern.  We just can’t say yet – because the study hasn’t yet produced relevant results beyond its three-year duration.  The authors write, “Whether the DO-HEALTH treatments resulted in a persistent slowing of biological aging, leading to the prevention or delay of frailty and chronic disease beyond the 3-year follow-up, is currently unknown.”  (DO-HEALTH is the name of this clinical trial.)

    “Likewise, they mention that they don’t have data on long-term survival rates of the people in the study.  Maybe one of the other clocks will eventually turn out to relate more closely to survival rates and future health.  Maybe the pattern of how the effects of the three interventions combine will be different.  We just can’t say yet.

    “Also we can’t say whether the effect on biological aging clocks will continue after three years, because that wasn’t studied.  Maybe taking omega-3 supplements for longer will have a greater impact on biological aging, or maybe it won’t.  And the study doesn’t indicate what the effect on these biological clocks would be if people, who had been taking a supplement, stop taking it.

    “This study is an interesting start, but there’s so much that it can’t tell us.

    Further information

    “Other findings from the same clinical trial have already been published, and some is mentioned in the new paper near the beginning.  (There’s more at https://do-health.eu/.) For example, taking the omega-3 supplement reduced the rate of infections, and of falls.  People who took both supplements and also participated in the home exercise programme, all together, had a substantial reduction in cancer diagnoses (61% over three years) compared to people who had none of these interventions, and also did better on measure called pre-frailty, based on weakness, fatigue, weight loss, low walking speed and low activity level.

    “Whether people were classed as ‘robust’, pre-frail or frail depended on how many of these five measures were below par.  (None below par meant they were robust, just one or two meant they were classified as pre-frail, more than that would classify them as frail.)  The trial looked at people who started out as robust (that is, satisfactory on all these measures) and saw how many moved to being pre-frail or frail, and having all three interventions (the two supplements and the exercise) reduced pre-frailty by 39%.  It didn’t have a clear effect on frailty, measured in this way, but that was probably just because very few participants moved from being robust all the way to frail in the three-year period.

    “The press release seems (to me) to imply that these findings were part of the new research.  They aren’t, though they do come from the same clinical trial and involved some of the same researchers.  (Also, to nit-pick, the press release refers to ‘frailty’ whereas the findings are actually about pre-frailty, a somewhat different concept.).”

    ‘Individual and additive effects of vitamin D, omega-3 and exercise on DNA methylation clocks of biological aging in older adults from the DO-HEALTH trial’ by Heike A. Bischoff-Ferrari et al. was published in Nature Aging at 16:00 UK time on Monday 3 February 2025. 

    DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00793-y

    Declared interests

    Prof Dame Linda Partridge: “None.”

    Dr Julian Mutz: “No COIs.”

    Prof Kevin McConway: “Previously a Trustee of the SMC and a member of its Advisory Committee.”

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev and Igor Kobzev discussed the socio-economic development of the Irkutsk region

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting with the Governor of the Irkutsk Region Igor Kobzev

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting with Irkutsk Region Governor Igor Kobzev. The meeting discussed issues of the region’s socio-economic development.

    Igor Kobzev said that the Irkutsk region is developing successfully. The region’s industrial production index increased by 9% over 11 months last year. The mineral extraction index for the same period rose above the Russian average and amounted to 112% – this is seventh place in Russia as a whole. The manufacturing index increased by more than 5%.

    The meeting also touched upon issues of forest management, agriculture and the implementation of the national project “Environmental Well-being”.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Lectures, business games and master classes: SPbGASU held Russian Science Day for students of Lyceum No. 126

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Business game “Interview”

    On January 31, SPbGASU held a large-scale event for students of grades 8–11 of St. Petersburg Lyceum No. 126. The students celebrated Russian Science Day at our university. They visited departments, museums, laboratories, the exhibition hall of the architectural faculty and the scientific and technical library, listened to lectures, took part in business games and master classes.

    On behalf of the university’s management and staff, Marina Malyutina, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy, welcomed the guests: “SPbGASU was founded in 1832 under Emperor Nicholas I as the School of Civil Engineers. Throughout our history, we have had different names, but the meaning has remained the same – our university has always been the center of engineering thought and construction science.”

    “Macaroni Builder”, “First-Year Grant” and other reasons to study at SPbGASU

    Alevtina Ragimova and Marina Malyutina

    Marina Viktorovna informed that more than 12 thousand students study at the university. Every year more than 2 thousand graduates leave its walls. All of them are at the cutting edge of new technologies and knowledge and are in demand by the industry: more than 70 percent of graduates find employment in their specialty.

    The university closely cooperates with industry partners – the largest developers of St. Petersburg, Leningrad Oblast and other regions. More than 500 teachers are involved in the educational process, 70 percent of whom have academic titles and degrees, many of whom are members of various state and public academies, including the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences.

    You can study at SPbGASU throughout your life – full-time, part-time, part-time, improving your qualifications, undergoing retraining. Students have the opportunity to study in additional educational programs, master a second qualification. The university provides scope for research in more than 10 scientific areas. Scientists report the results of their scientific activities at conferences and symposiums.

    SPbGASU organizes intra-university and all-Russian TIM championships, participates in the International Engineering Championship CASE-IN, and holds the international competition “Macaroni Builder”. An active student life is in full swing here: the Student Leisure and Creativity Center “Kirpich”, the Center for Physical Culture and Sports operate, and student projects are supported. One of such projects is “Adapters”, within the framework of which senior students help first-year students for six months. Curators – teachers who help first-year students study, communicate, and solve everyday problems – also work with the first-year students.

    “Our university is especially proud of the SPbGASU personal scholarship, the so-called “First-Year Grant”. We support the guys who have shown themselves in school and in secondary vocational education – in public life, research, studies, and pay them an additional scholarship on a competitive basis. In general, we have 17 scholarships that our students can receive upon fulfilling certain requirements,” said Marina Malyutina.

    At the end of her speech, the vice-rector presented the lyceum with a book about the architects of St. Petersburg. Alevtina Ragimova, the director of Lyceum No. 126, in her response expressed confidence that many graduates will become students of SPbGASU.

    Students from the Kirpich Student Leisure and Creativity Center performed a concert program that drew thunderous applause. In addition, the winners of the Olympiads that the university holds for future applicants were awarded. Then the lyceum students were treated to a tour of the university and numerous events that immersed them in the world of science.

    What were university lectures about?

    Lecture by Ekaterina Voznyak “Architects of St. Petersburg and Architectural Education”

    Ekaterina Voznyak, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, spoke about the architects of St. Petersburg and architectural education in her lecture. The Dean said that she does not encourage the audience to become architects, since an architect is a calling that either exists or does not. The students will be able to decide on this issue not now, but at the age of 18-19, however, according to the Dean, it is useful for everyone to know about the architecture and architects of St. Petersburg. Ekaterina Ryurikovna emphasized that in the Northern capital they love and know their architects, who, being different people, create an ensemble, build a single city. This is what distinguishes St. Petersburg architects.

    The lecture by Dmitry Ulrich, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Urban Management, was called “Excursion into the World of Science.” He spoke about the prerequisites for the development of science, the classification of sciences, and scientific discoveries that changed the world. Students learned about the role of chemistry, physics, and mathematics in construction, heat supply, land management, and their importance for engineering education.

    Galina Tokunova, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management, offered to look into the future of the construction industry. The speaker’s focus was on TIM design, 3D printing, the Internet of Things and smart sensors, robots and drones. The audience learned why artificial intelligence will not replace specialists in economics and management, what specialists in business informatics and economic security do, what is happening in the Laboratory of Digital Information Models in Construction at SPbGASU and much more.

    What was taught in the master classes

    You could feel like an artist at the master class “City Landscape”. Before it began, Konstantin Tarasov, senior teacher of the drawing department, explained that the children would first make an air space “on the wet”, and then introduce into it the silhouette of St. Petersburg – the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Kazan Cathedral. The lesson helped the lyceum students to reveal their creative abilities.

    The model workshop hosted a master class called “Architectural Fantasies”. The children were divided into five teams and created a model of a skyscraper. Olga Belousova, associate professor of the architectural design department, said: “As a starting point, the teams received handouts – photos, pictures, discussed the concept and began to assemble a fantasy model. Forty-five minutes later, the captains presented their work. In this case, they were required not only to write a short story about their skyscraper, but also to come up with a motto for it.”

    Due to the expansion of its activities, the organization calculated its personnel needs. The calculation showed that there were not enough workers in certain areas… This is how the business game “Interview” began, in which the participants learned to present themselves to the employer.

    The guys were divided into two groups: the HR department and job seekers. Olga Bochkareva, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Economics and Management, Associate Professor of the Construction Management Department, and Marina Egorova, Deputy Dean for Educational Work, Senior Lecturer of the same department, suggested choosing professional skills that correspond to the professions: economic security specialist, marketer, construction economist, HR department employee. The HR department developed a list of interview questions. Job seekers prepared resumes and talked about themselves. As in real life, only the best got the job.

    At the master classes of the Faculty of Forensic Expertise and Law in Construction and Transport, it was possible to acquire practical skills of legal literacy in relations with unscrupulous employers, take psychological training “How to negotiate with any person”, learn about the criminal liability of minors and receive a lot of other useful information.

    The Automobile and Road Faculty prepared an interesting program. The students learned about the operation of vehicles and transport infrastructure in Arctic conditions, about digital twins of the roads of the future, and reverse engineering. The Automobile and Road Faculty is confident that today the road industry is developing at an incredible speed, and the task of teachers is to prepare specialists who will not only follow modern trends, but also create them.

    “Students of SPbGASU master advanced technologies, participate in research on the introduction of sustainable materials in road construction and the design of safe transport interchanges. SPbGASU is a leader in training personnel for the transport complex, actively cooperates with leading enterprises in the industry and provides students with the opportunity to undergo practical training at the largest construction and transport sites,” commented Andrey Zazykin, Dean of the ADF.

    “Our graduates are in demand – they are invited to work even at the training stage, because employers know that at SPbGASU they receive not only a theoretical base, but also valuable practical experience,” added Igor Chernyaev, head of the department of technical operation of vehicles.

    “SPbGASU is an interesting option”

    We asked ninth-grade students what they remember about Russian Science Day at SPbGASU and where they plan to study next.

    “We are still searching, but this is an interesting option. I will consider it. My father studied here,” shared Timur Bukhtiyarov.

    “I liked the business game the most. It was very fun, interesting, and exciting,” said Zlata Khudyakova.

    Galina Avdeeva, deputy director of Lyceum No. 126 for educational work, said that the Lyceum is very happy with such invitations – not only students, but also teachers learn a lot of new things here.

    The Admissions Committee, which organized the celebration for the lyceum students, thanks the university teachers for their participation, as well as students from the Kirpich Center for Social and Cultural Development, the student media center, and the SPbGASU Volunteer Club.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: National Waste Crime Survey 2024-25 launched

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    The third National Waste Crime Survey (NWCS) is now open for three weeks to understand the scale, impact, and deterrence of waste crime across England

    The Environment Agency is calling on industry and the public to take part in its third National Waste Crime Survey, launched today (Monday 3 February), to gain a greater understanding of waste crime across England.

    Taking the time to respond to our survey is crucial in making England’s approach to tackling waste crime and waste management safer and efficient, and helping us crack down on criminality. The public’s awareness and experience will help the Environment Agency in taking the most effective action against waste criminals.

    The Environment Agency uses the insight that industry and the public provides through the survey to: 

    • Measure the perceived scale and impact of waste crime in England 
    • Understand deterrents that could prevent people from committing waste crime 
    • Gauge public and industry willingness to report waste crimes 
    • Assess the effectiveness of action taken by us and our partners to reduce waste crime.  

    Insights from the survey are crucial in shaping the Environment Agency’s strategic priorities, and the actions taken have resulted in the total number of illegal waste sites in operation falling to 344 last year – the lowest total figure on record. It has never been more important to gather more information on waste crime to ensure this number continues to fall – not least since it is estimated to cost the economy in England a staggering £1 billion annually.   

    Steve Molyneux, Deputy Director of Waste and Resources Regulation at the Environment Agency, said:

    With an estimated 18% of waste illegally managed we know that activities like illegal waste burning and shipping, mis-describing waste, and operating illegal sites cost the economy £1 billion a year.

    Our National Waste Crime Survey is crucial for understanding the scale of these crimes and gathering insights from those directly affected. I encourage everyone impacted by waste crime to take part.

    Your insight will enable us to continue to target waste criminals, stopping them from impacting our environment, communities, the legitimate waste management industry, and the economy.

    Waste Minister Mary Creagh said:  

    Waste criminals are a scourge on society, affecting rural and urban communities equally.

    They make huge profits at the expense of the law-abiding majority, by not paying tax – not to mention the costs of cleaning up after them and making people feel unsafe in their neighbourhoods.

    I urge people to take part in the Environment Agency’s survey to help us crack down on waste criminals and protect the environment.

    The Environment Agency encourages all stakeholders to participate and help promote the survey to others who can help.

    The survey is open for three weeks from 3 February 2025 and can be accessed online.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Apple Music kicks off Kendrick Lamar’s Road to Halftime ahead of Super Bowl LIX

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple Music kicks off Kendrick Lamar’s Road to Halftime ahead of Super Bowl LIX

    February 3, 2025

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple Music kicks off Kendrick Lamar’s Road to Halftime ahead of Super Bowl LIX

    Tune in to the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show press conference for The Official Kendrick Lamar Interview on February 6 at 10 a.m. CT on Apple Music

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced Apple Music is celebrating Kendrick Lamar’s Road to Halftime with a spotlight on the era-defining artist who has made a seismic impact on hip-hop and culture.

    Coming off of a remarkable year, Kendrick was among the top 10 artists of 2024 globally, with his latest album, GNX, soaring to No. 1 in 129 countries upon release, while “Not Like Us” was the top-streamed song on Apple Music worldwide. Throughout his career, Kendrick has seen nine albums top Apple Music’s top albums chart in more than 160 countries.

    “Throughout his career, Kendrick Lamar hasn’t met the cultural moment so much as he’s defined it,” said Rachel Newman, Apple Music’s global head of content and editorial. “He is an artist’s artist — authentic to his core. We couldn’t be more thrilled to watch him headline the third Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show this year, in what’s sure to be another moment we’ll all be talking about for decades.”

    Fans can get ready for the big event with a wide selection of music and exclusive content, from the first-look trailer Kendrick shared last month; to exclusive playlists curated by New Orleans musicians, NFL players, and teams; to over 100 hours of dedicated Apple Music Radio programming. It all leads up to the highly anticipated Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on Sunday, February 9, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

    To access it all, check out Kendrick’s Road to Halftime on Apple Music.

    The Halftime Show Press Conference

    On Thursday, February 6, at 10 a.m. CT, Apple Music Radio hosts Ebro Darden and Nadeska Alexis will sit down with Kendrick at the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show press conference for the headliner’s official interview. Viewers can tune in live or watch on demand on Apple Music at apple.co/applemusichalftime or Apple Podcasts; on YouTube, Facebook, and X; or on the NFL Network.

    Before the interview, fans can also tune in to the Apple Music Radio pre-show at 9:30 a.m. CT featuring Apple Music Radio hosts Zane Lowe and Eddie Francis, alongside Ebro and Nadeska. The live show will highlight Apple Music’s biggest moments of the past year and feature special guests during a look back at iconic halftime performances.

    100 Hours of Programming on Apple Music Radio

    The award-winning Apple Music Radio will be on the ground and in the stands for a full four-day takeover starting February 6 across New Orleans and Los Angeles. Exclusive programming will include daily “Live from Super Bowl LIX NOLA” broadcasts with Zane, Ebro, Nadeska, and Eddie as they shine a light on the city’s music culture while connecting with artists, athletes, and other notable voices. “Super Bowl LIX LA” broadcasts with Apple Music Radio hosts Hanuman, Brooke Reese, Estelle, Jayde Donovan, and newly added Evelyn Sicairos and Lechero will reflect on the New Orleans fanfare, as well as celebrate Kendrick’s music and hometown back in L.A.

    “Kendrick Lamar: Hip-Hop’s MVP” hosted by Ebro will celebrate Kendrick’s catalog and take listeners on a chronological journey through the milestones in Kendrick’s career and discography.

    And on Saturday before the game, Apple Music will bring the New Orleans club scene to listeners with mixes from NOLA DJs Legatron Prime, DJ Poppa, Mannie Fresh, and KLC the Drum Major. Mustard will spin a special Kendrick Lamar Megamix.

    Listeners can tune in at apple.co/_Radio.

    The Story of Kendrick Lamar in 20 Songs

    Available on Apple Music and Apple News, “The Story of Kendrick Lamar in 20 Songs” offers a captivating glimpse into Kendrick’s remarkable ability to continually redefine the tropes and forms of classic hip-hop.

    Bonus Content from Shazam

    Fans who use the Shazam app to identify Kendrick Lamar songs throughout the week leading up to the performance can access the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show event page, where they’ll find bonus content like a custom Apple Watch face and iPhone wallpaper. They can also save the concert to receive timely reminders for the Set List playlist and photos from the show.

    Apple Music’s Biggest Offer Ever

    Those who are not yet subscribed can check out Apple Music’s biggest offer ever. For a limited time, new and eligible subscribers can get six months of Apple Music for $2.99.

    More to Explore Across Apple Services

    Across Apple services, fans can explore with Apple Maps Guides to New Orleans, catch up on the latest with Apple News, and get moving with a new Artist Spotlight series on Apple Fitness+.

    New Ways to Navigate New Orleans with Apple Maps
     Last week, Apple Maps unveiled new ways visitors and locals alike can explore New Orleans, including a Detailed City Experience and 3D landmarks that bring to life some of the city’s most iconic locations — including Cafe Du Monde, the Steamboat NATCHEZ, and Caesars Superdome — in a visually stunning view. The Detailed City Experience delivers amazing details to help users navigate the city, including road markings, land cover, and public transit routes.

    Apple Maps has also added a new Guide to its Hyperlocal series, this time curated by Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. Lisa shares some of her favorite spots for food, music, and more in her hometown of New Orleans.

    All the Latest Updates on Apple News
    Starting today, Apple News will offer a dedicated hub that delivers special coverage of Super Bowl LIX. From media day to kickoff, fans will find the latest news on the game from local and national sports publishers like The Athletic, Sports Illustrated, The Kansas City Star, and The Philadelphia Inquirer.

    NFL fans can also sign up for personalized news notifications to all of the week’s top football stories curated by the Apple News editors, and during the Super Bowl, the Apple News app will feature the latest highlights, as well as the buzziest commercials and halftime show.

    With the free Apple Sports app for iPhone,1 fans can follow the big game in real time right on their Lock Screen with Live Activities,2 and go deeper in-app with full play-by-play information, team stats, box scores, and live betting odds.

    A Special Fitness+ Artist Spotlight
    The Artist Spotlight series on Fitness+ dedicates entire workout playlists to a single artist, and the latest installment — available starting today — celebrates the music of Kendrick Lamar. This special series features Cycling, HIIT, Strength, Yoga, Pilates, and Kickboxing workouts, all set exclusively to his music.

    Supporting Education and Creativity in New Orleans

    Apple has long-standing community partnerships in New Orleans, with a focus on supporting education and creativity in the community. This includes working with the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music (EMCM) to expand access to youth music and technology education, helping Arts New Orleans provide opportunities for aspiring artists through their Young Artist Movement (YAM) program, and equipping students at Delgado Community College with the tools and resources to produce their own podcast about local culture and history. On Saturday, February 8, audiences around the world can tune in to the Super Bowl Host Committee Parade to see the Apple Music-sponsored float, designed on iPad by YAM artists and featuring the EMCM youth jazz ensemble.

    About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. Available in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada.
    2. Live Activities require iOS 18 and watchOS 11 or later.

    Press Contacts

    Cat Franich

    Apple

    cfranich@apple.com

    Kimberly Mai

    Apple

    k_mai@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New Orleans students showcase their creativity with iPad and Mac

    Source: Apple

    Headline: New Orleans students showcase their creativity with iPad and Mac

    February 3, 2025

    UPDATE

    New Orleans students showcase their creativity with iPad and Mac

    With all eyes on New Orleans, Apple community partners Ellis Marsalis Center for Music and Arts New Orleans put the city’s aspiring young artists in the spotlight

    On a drizzly, overcast afternoon, all is quiet at the intersection of Bartholomew and Prieur streets in New Orleans’ historic Ninth Ward. The quiet neighborhood around the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music (EMCM) feel worlds away from the historic French Quarter packed with jazz clubs, bars, restaurants, and markets.

    At 3 p.m., the tempo begins to shift — slowly at first, as youth ranging in age from 8 to 18 file through the blue building’s front gate, instruments in tow. The hallways grow steadily louder with the sounds of laughter, footsteps, stray musical notes, and teachers greeting their students. The fledgling musicians begin cycling through their four classes for the day: piano, homework help, an instrument of their choosing, and coding — a required course that stems from the center’s ongoing partnership with Apple.

    Launched in 2019, the collaboration with Apple has allowed EMCM to expand its curriculum, adding a suite of tech-focused courses that complement the world-class music education the center provides to students.

    “I know some people wonder, ‘Why is a music institution teaching coding?’ For us, it’s all connected — it’s part of a digital tapestry,” says Lisa Dabney, the center’s executive director. “It’s about closing the digital divide by giving students access to technology and introducing them to different types of diverse, long-term career opportunities, including pathways in music technology and beyond. In a community where many homes lack access to iPads and computers, this partnership with Apple helps us put the power of technology directly in our students’ hands, opening doors to creative and professional futures they might have never imagined.”

    Apple’s support for EMCM is part of the company’s broader long-standing commitment to uplift and amplify youth creativity in New Orleans through technology. As budding musicians at EMCM learn to code and mix new tracks with Logic Pro and GarageBand, students at Delgado Community College are producing their own podcast about local cultural icons, and young artists at Arts New Orleans have used iPad to design a new mural fans will see on their way to the Superdome this weekend.

    “We love to see technology and creativity supporting one another, and it’s such a joy to see that in action here in my hometown of New Orleans,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. “Creativity, art, and music are in our DNA. Our teams are really excited to keep working with our amazing community partners and the talented young people who light up this city.”

    EMCM’s holistic and ever-evolving programming stems directly from its namesake, who wanted to ensure that the next generation had the chance to carry on the city’s vibrant cultural legacy. This work felt especially important in the Ninth Ward — a neighborhood renowned for being home to many iconic musicians, civil rights activists, and educators — that had been disproportionately impacted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

    “At the heart of the center’s curriculum is our founder’s belief that truly understanding music begins with learning to hear it,” explains Dabney. “Piano plays a key role in this process by helping students develop critical listening skills, connect deeply with music, and build a strong foundation in music theory. For this reason, piano has been a required class for all students, in addition to their primary instrument.”

    That same foundational approach to learning now extends to coding and audio engineering courses. In the center’s Mac lab, students use the latest hardware and software to learn coding basics with Apple’s Everyone Can Code and Swift Playgrounds frameworks. And in the on-site music studio, they learn how to engineer their own tracks with apps like GarageBand and Logic Pro. Students also get access to their own iPad every semester, allowing them to take what they’ve learned in their classes and build on those skills at home.

    The audio engineering courses — made possible through Apple’s support — are among the center’s newer offerings for high school-aged students.

    “Here in New Orleans, we have hotels, we have clubs, we have conventions, and we have probably more festivals than anybody in the world. And all of them need audio,” explains Dr. Daryl Dickerson, the center’s longtime director of music education. “This is a job you can learn now, and for the rest of your life, you can do it. If you learn how to capture and edit audio at a young age, you can evolve that into a career.”

    For Jacob Jones Jr., a high school senior who plays the saxophone, trumpet, and piano, Dr. Dickerson’s Saturday afternoon audio engineering class has created a whole new framework for thinking about music.

    “You can make a sound on an instrument, and that’s great,” says Jones. “But then when you play that sound back through the computer, you can expound on it, and play around and make something totally brand-new that no one has ever heard before.”

    Outside of his classes, Jones often finds himself using the skills he’s learned in Logic and GarageBand on his iPhone whenever — and wherever — inspiration strikes. “GarageBand is really essential to me, because I’ll hear something and be like, ‘Wow, I just got to get it out.’ I’ll go on my iPhone, open GarageBand, be able to play out that melody, record it, and even make a whole song out of it,” he explains.

    This same spirit of creative experimentation is fostered in the school’s coding courses, where students like Donte Allen, 14, are encouraged to merge their passion for music and the arts with the foundational technological skills they’re acquiring in class.

    Allen has had a passion for music since he was in diapers. “My dad has a picture of me from when I was 6 months old with the trumpet in my carseat,” he notes with a smile.

    But learning how to code has opened up new creative interests.

    “Swift teaches you the fundamentals, and you can go on from there,” he explains of his newfound affinity for coding. “You can build your own apps, make your own games, and make your own stories… Music and Swift both help with my creativity.”

    This type of exposure — across a wide range of creative and technological mediums, often with surprising points of intersection in between — is what it’s all about for the center’s faculty.

    “These students want this type of education,” says Dr. Dickerson, whose next endeavor will be bringing podcasting classes into the center. “But if it’s not presented to them, they never get it. And it’s the same thing with music and everything else we do around here. So we’re always trying to present them with something new.”

    Beyond the football fervor already enveloping the Superdome, students from Arts New Orleans are putting the finishing touches on a project of their own. Their garden-themed mural, which will cover an exterior wall of the Orleans Justice Center along Interstate 10, highlights stories of previously incarcerated locals while also imparting a message of hope to the community.

    The 6,600-square-foot piece was designed by participants in the Young Artist Movement (YAM), Arts New Orleans’ arts education and workforce development program, which works primarily with students ages 14 to 22. Through YAM, founded in 2016, local youth learn the mural-making process from guest artists and are then given the opportunity to create their own across the city. The participants will also complete the installation of the mural.

    The design process for this particular mural began in the Procreate app on iPad. Using Apple Pencil, the 19 students designed the digital images that appear on the mural’s panels. Lead artists Journey Allen, Gabrielle Tolliver, and Jade Meyers then organized the final designs, and sent them to a mural cloth company to have them ghost-printed on large swaths of mural cloth. From there, the pieces are painted and will then be installed along the wall using a specific gel medium.

    Allen, a visual artist and arts educator who serves as Arts New Orleans’ director of youth education, has enjoyed watching the students blossom. “I love to see the ones who are intimidated at first by the materials,” she shares. “But then when you connect with them and they begin to open up, the artwork becomes a source of transparency, a source of trust, where they share with you a little bit of who they are. Some of them never even really drew or painted before, and here they are creating this huge mural. They ask, ‘When are we going to do the next one?’”

    For some of the young artists, the project holds an added layer of meaning — they came to YAM through its arts diversion program, an alternative to prosecution and incarceration for youth facing low-level, nonviolent offenses. Founded in 2021, it draws on the healing and restorative qualities of artistic expression, with the goal of students having their charges dismissed upon completion.

    Arts New Orleans is also piloting a standalone arts diversion program this spring to help meet participants’ unique needs. “There are many things that they need to engage in, conversations that need to be had, that we can’t have amongst the main YAM group, which are kids who have not been impacted in the same way by the criminal justice system,” Allen explains. “Giving them their own program gives them a true opportunity to expand and move beyond whatever it is they are facing.”

    The idea for YAM and its arts diversion program was sparked by now-retired Judge Arthur Hunter and Xavier University professor Ron Bechet, who is also an artist. Through his career as a police officer, a lawyer, and finally as a judge in his native New Orleans, Hunter had a firsthand look at the factors that lead to young people getting swept into the city’s criminal justice system and saw the potential for art to provide an alternate path.

    “It’s not just the art — it’s an economic opportunity as well, where they should be able to make a living using their talent,” explains Hunter, a board member at Arts New Orleans. “That’s just as much a part of it as seeing that beautiful picture on a canvas.”

    For Hunter, the timing of the mural’s unveiling couldn’t feel more fitting. “This project will be not just a culmination, but also I see it as the beginning of more art throughout the city, letting people know in the city, in the region, in the state, around the country, and around the world what kids can do in the city of New Orleans when it comes to art,” he says.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Drought can hit almost anywhere: How 5 cities that nearly ran dry got water use under control

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sara Hughes, Adjunct Professor of Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan

    Las Vegas’ water supplier offers rebates to residents who tear out their grass lawns to save water. LPETTET/iStock/Getty Images Plus

    Water scarcity is often viewed as an issue for the arid American West, but the U.S. Northeast’s experience in 2024 shows how severe droughts can occur in just about any part of the country.

    Cities in the Northeast experienced record-breaking drought conditions in the second half of 2024 after a hot, dry summer in many areas. Wildfires broke out in several states that rarely see them.

    By December, much of the region was experiencing moderate to severe drought. Residents in New York City and Boston were asked to reduce their water use, while Philadelphia faced risk to its water supply due to saltwater coming up the Delaware River.

    Parts of the Northeastern U.S. were so dry in summer 2024 that several large wildfires burned in New Jersey, as well as in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and even in New York City.
    New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection via AP

    Before the drought, many people in the region weren’t prepared for water shortages or even paying much attention to their water use.

    As global temperatures rise, cities throughout the U.S. are more likely to experience hotter, drier conditions like this. Those conditions increase evaporation, drying out vegetation and soil and lowering groundwater tables.

    The Northeast drought was easing in much of the region in early 2025, but communities across the U.S. should take note of what happened. They can learn from the experiences of cities that have had to confront major water supply crises – such as Cape Town, South Africa; São Paulo, Brazil; Melbourne, Australia; Las Vegas; and New Orleans – and start planning now to avoid the worst impacts of future droughts.

    Lessons from cities that have seen the worst

    Our new analysis of these five cities’ experiences provides lessons on how to avoid a water supply crisis or minimize the effects through proactive policies and planning.

    Many cities have had to confront major water supply crises in recent years. Perhaps the most well-known example is Cape Town’s “Day Zero.”

    After three years of persistent drought in the region, Cape Town officials in fall 2017 began a countdown to Day Zero – the point at which water supplies would likely run so low that water would be turned off in neighborhoods and residents would need to fetch a daily allocation of water at public distribution points. Initially it was forecast to occur in April 2018.

    Residents in Cape Town, South Africa, line up to fill water jugs during a severe drought in 2018.
    AP Photo/Bram Janssen

    Water rates were raised, and some households installed flow restrictors, which would automatically limit the amount of water that could be used. Public awareness and conservation efforts cut water consumption in half, allowing the city to push back its estimate for when Day Zero would arrive. And when the rains finally came in summer 2018, Day Zero was canceled.

    A second example is São Paulo, which similarly experienced a severe drought between 2013 and 2015. The city’s reservoirs were reduced to just 5% of their capacity, and the water utility reduced the pressure in the water system to limit water use by residents.

    Water pricing adjustments were used to penalize high water users and reward water conservation, and a citywide campaign sought to increase awareness and encourage conservation. As in Cape Town, the crisis ended with heavy rains in 2016. Significant investments have since been made in upgrading the city’s water distribution infrastructure, preventing leaks and bringing water to the city from other river basins.

    Planning ahead can reduce the harm

    The experiences of Cape Town and São Paulo – and the other cities in our study – show how water supply crises can affect communities.

    When major changes are made to reduce water consumption, they can affect people’s daily lives and pocketbooks. Rapidly designed conservation efforts can have harmful effects on poor and vulnerable communities that may have fewer alternatives in the event of restrictions or shutoffs or lack the ability to pay higher prices for water, forcing tough choices for households between water and other necessities.

    Planning ahead allows for more thoughtful policy design.

    For example, Las Vegas has been grappling with drought conditions for the past two decades. During that time, the region implemented water-conservation policies that focus on incentivizing and even requiring reduced water consumption.

    Lake Mead, a huge reservoir on the Colorado River that Las Vegas relies on for water, reached record low levels in 2022.
    AP Photo/John Locher

    Since 2023, the Las Vegas Valley Water District has implemented water rates that encourage conservation and can vary with the availability of water supplies during droughts. In its first year alone, the policy saved 3 billion gallons of water and generated US$31 million in fees that can be used by programs to detect and repair leaks, among other conservation efforts. A state law now requires businesses and homeowner associations in the Las Vegas Valley to remove their decorative grass by the end of 2026.

    Since 2002, per capita water use in Las Vegas has dropped by an impressive 58%.

    Solutions and strategies for the future

    Most of the cities we studied incorporated a variety of approaches to building water security and drought-proofing their community – from publishing real-time dashboards showing water use and availability in Cape Town to investing in desalination in Melbourne.

    But we found the most important changes came from community members committing to and supporting efforts to conserve water and invest in water security, such as reducing lawn watering.

    There are also longer-term actions that can help drought-proof a community, such as fixing or replacing water- and energy-intensive fixtures and structures. This includes upgrading home appliances, such as showers, dishwashers and toilets, to be more water efficient and investing in native and drought-tolerant landscaping.

    Prioritizing green infrastructure, such as retention ponds and bioswales, that help absorb rain when it does fall and investing in water recycling can also diversify water supplies.

    Taking these steps now, ahead of the next drought, can prepare cities and lessen the pain.

    Michael Wilson is an employee of RAND, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization. This research was funded by the RAND Center for Climate and Energy Futures.

    Sara Hughes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Drought can hit almost anywhere: How 5 cities that nearly ran dry got water use under control – https://theconversation.com/drought-can-hit-almost-anywhere-how-5-cities-that-nearly-ran-dry-got-water-use-under-control-248760

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Your environment affects how well your medications work − identifying exactly how could make medicine better

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Gary W. Miller, Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

    Even the air you breathe may influence how effective a drug may be for you. Jorg Greuel/Photodisc via Getty Images

    Your genes play a major role in determining your height, hair and eye color, and skin tone, but they don’t tell the entire story of who you are. Your environment is incredibly important in shaping your personality, your likes and dislikes, and your health. In fact, your diet, social interactions, exposure to pollution, physical activity and education often exceed the influence of genetics on many of the features that define you.

    Figuring out how your genes and environment increase your likelihood of developing asthma, heart disease, cancer, dementia and other conditions can have life-changing consequences. The field of genomics has made it relatively straightforward to test both in the hospital and at home for a wide range of genetic variations linked to disease risk.

    And in recent years, science has been making progress on tracking down the environmental culprits that drive risk for several diseases – and on identifying ways to optimize treatments based on your personal environmental exposures.

    Prescribing the most effective treatment from the get-go can reduce harmful drug reactions.
    Willie B. Thomas/DigitalVision via Getty Images

    My work as a pharmacologist and toxicologist has led me to the emerging science of exposomics – the study of all of the physical, chemical, biological and social factors that affect your biology. While your genome comprises all of the genes that encode your biology, your exposome is a concept that comprises all your environmental exposures. Like how researchers use DNA sequencers to study genomics, scientists in exposomics use chemistry and high-tech sensors to measure the effects of thousands of environmental factors on health.

    Medications don’t always work

    For many people, standard drug therapies to treat certain conditions simply don’t work. Controlling blood pressure often requires months of trial and error. It can take months or even years to identify an adequate treatment plan for depression.

    Adverse events caused by medications account for more than 1 million visits to emergency departments each year in the U.S. What drives these differences in drug effects between patients? Is it their genes? Are they not taking their medication as prescribed due to side effects? Or something else?

    As it turns out, your environment can have a major effect on how well specific treatments work for you. Think about the warning labels advising you not to drink grapefruit juice while taking a specific drug, for example. This is because a natural chemical in grapefruit inhibits the enzymes that break down those medications. Some common statins used to control high cholesterol can build up to toxic levels because the chemical in grapefruit juice blocks its normal processing.

    Grapefruit isn’t the only environmental factor affecting how you respond to your medications. Over 8,600 chemicals are used in commerce in the U.S., and you are exposed to thousands of these chemicals on a daily basis. It is more likely than not that many of these chemicals can interact with the drugs you take.

    Your exposome encompasses a wide range of factors.
    Nathalie Ruaux/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    Some of the chemicals we use to keep fleas and ticks off pets can actually increase the levels of the same enzyme blocked by grapefruit juice, meaning a statin may be broken down so fast that it doesn’t control elevated cholesterol.

    Byproducts from the combustion of organic matter, such as engine exhaust and burning wood, can also interfere with drug-metabolizing enzymes. Some of these chemicals, called polyaromatic hydrocarbons, can inactivate medications used to treat asthma. The environmental factor triggering your asthma could prevent the drugs used to treat it from working.

    A chemical solution?

    Advances in chemistry are helping researchers figure out what chemicals are getting in the way of treatment.

    Your hospital laboratory can already measure dozens of molecules in your blood. Measuring your salt levels can tell doctors how your kidneys are working, cholesterol levels indicate your risk of heart disease, and specific enzymes reveal your liver’s health. These common tests are routine and useful for nearly every patient.

    There are many additional tests that can help determine how a specific condition is progressing or responding to therapy. Hemoglobin A1c levels help determine how well glucose levels are being controlled in those with prediabetes or diabetes. And thousands of other human diseases have their own corresponding biomarkers.

    In research laboratories, scientists can detect the presence of thousands of molecules at once using instruments called mass spectrometers. Each chemical in a sample has a unique mass, and these devices measure these masses for scientists to categorize. Thus, scientists can identify all of the pesticides, plasticizers, plastics, pollution and other chemicals present in a given sample. They can also measure your own internal biology, such as the compounds involved in processing the food you eat and the hormones influencing how you behave.

    Moreover, mass spectrometers can measure drug metabolites. When you take a drug, it is typically broken down or metabolized to several different compounds. Some of these compounds contribute to the drug’s effects, while others are inactive. Analyzing what metabolites are present in your body provides information about how you process drugs and whether the drugs you’re taking will interact with each other.

    Taking all these factors together, scientists can study how your environment may be interfering with the effectiveness of your medications.

    A better prescription – for you

    Together with dozens of scientists across many institutions, my colleagues and I are developing methods to measure all of the chemicals in your body. The project, dubbed IndiPHARM – short for individualized pharmacology – is designing tools to measure a wide range of drugs, drug metabolites and environmental chemicals at the same time.

    By combining environmental data with genetic information, we hope to improve how drugs work in people by figuring out whether chemicals in their environment or diet are altering how they process a given drug. This includes whether the administered drugs are at therapeutic levels, how the drugs and chemicals are interacting with each other, and determining whether other variables are affecting intended drug effects. This could lead to changing the amount of drug prescribed, switching to a different medication or even redesigning the medicines themselves.

    Our team is starting with identifying the environmental and biological factors associated with metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes, along with common co-occurring conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol and depression. For example, there are significant differences in how well people respond to anti-obesity or anti-diabetes drugs, and we hope to figure out why that is so all patients can benefit through tailored treatment.

    Getting the right drug to the right person at the right time requires a better understanding of the environmental factors that influence how they work. We envision a future where a doctor can use your genetic and environmental history to figure out the best drug treatment that would work for you from the start, reducing the need for trial and error.

    Gary W. Miller receives funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Advanced Research Project Agency for Health, the Department of Defense, Cancer Research UK, and the European Commission. He is co-founder of Exposome Therapeutics.

    – ref. Your environment affects how well your medications work − identifying exactly how could make medicine better – https://theconversation.com/your-environment-affects-how-well-your-medications-work-identifying-exactly-how-could-make-medicine-better-246476

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Key takeaways from the Cityforum 2025 Digital Policing Summit

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Exploring challenges and opportunities in innovation for delivering safer streets.

    In recent months, the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) worked closely with Cityforum to help organise its latest event, the 2025 Digital Policing Summit. Held at BT HQ in London on January 22, the event brought together policymakers, police leaders, government representatives, industry experts and academics.

    Following the recent death of Cityforum founder Marc Lee, this was a poignant event that continued his vision of providing a platform for open discussions and collaborative problem-solving on some of the most pressing challenges facing policing today. From tackling complex societal issues to the challenge and opportunity of artificial intelligence (AI), the conversations were thought provoking and mission driven.   

    Annette Southgate, Head of ACE, joined a panel on sustainable implementation: from research to scalable delivery and mission impact at local, regional, and national levels, while Andy Loukes took to the stage with Stan Gilmour from ACE’s Vivace Community to share our learnings from the work that we have already done on the Safer Streets mission.

    Andy’s presentation featured a compelling case study from ACE’s toolbox, which was well received by attendees.  

    Here are our four key takeaways from the event for delivering the Safer Streets mission: 

    1. Local innovation is crucial 

    One of the strongest themes was the importance of local innovation with speakers emphasising that relying on national solutions often slows progress. Local forces are driving change by quickly adopting new technologies and tailoring them to meet their needs, but this too causes challenges as localised technology procurement is neither sustainable nor secure by design.

    ACE’s case study shared the need to encourage local innovation, start small and then scale fast, applying innovation to forces across the country.  

    There was much discussion of how the new National Centre of Policing will support and scale up this local innovation while allowing police forces to continue to deliver their local priorities – and a recurring theme was that: 

    “Operational independence is not the same thing as organisational independence” 

    2. Scalability: aligning the enablers 

    The challenge of how to embed systemic learning and scale capabilities from local successes into broader practice remains. Scaling solutions is a persistent challenge, not because innovation itself lacks scalability, but because the enablers – funding, infrastructure, standards, and decision-making structures – are often disconnected and siloed. 

    One speaker summarised the issue well: 

    “The safer streets challenge is how to get enablers at the strategic level coordinated, acting at speed, and with the right level of bureaucracy.” 

    And we should be better at sharing our knowledge of success. It’s often unclear who is innovating, where, and how effective those efforts are. Some forces adopt new technologies quickly and lead the way, but others lag behind, often due to limited visibility into what works. A common question raised was: 

    “If we know something works, why aren’t we telling everyone about it?” 

    Clearer knowledge-sharing mechanisms and centralised platforms are essential to track progress, evaluate outcomes,  maximise the impact of innovation, and allow for the coordination of investment in common enablers.  

    Greater collaboration and accountability structures can address this critical bottleneck – from a shared lexicon to standards that go beyond rigid technical specifications to include principles and flexible frameworks that adapt to various contexts.  

    3. Artificial intelligence: a balanced approach 

    AI was a key topic of discussion, with panelists debating its potential to enhance productivity and fill gaps in resource-constrained areas such as policing. AI can automate administrative tasks and free up officers for frontline duties, but public trust and careful implementation remain critical concerns. 

    The consensus was clear: 

    “AI shouldn’t replace people – it should empower them.” 

    The goal of applying AI isn’t zero crime but mitigating and preventing incidents while maintaining public confidence. AI must be implemented thoughtfully as a tool to complement human expertise rather than replace it. 

    4. Broadening the mission beyond policing 

    A particularly compelling point was the recognition that safer streets aren’t just a policing challenge. Achieving this goal requires collaboration across sectors, including education, probation, community services, and even the private sector. 

    Policing alone cannot address systemic issues such as serious violence or crime prevention. A coordinated, cross-departmental approach is essential to drive meaningful change. This shift in mindset could transform how resources are allocated and how partnerships are forged across sectors. 

    What’s ahead? 

    The Cityforum policing event reinforced the need for collaboration, alignment, and strategic approaches to innovation. From local-level successes to national strategies, the sector holds immense potential to drive change – but this requires breaking down silos and ensuring all enablers work in harmony. 

    At the heart of these discussions is a clear message: success lies in collaboration, knowledge sharing, and empowering innovation at every level. 

    ACE looks forward to contributing to these conversations and supporting initiatives that make a tangible difference for communities and policing teams alike. ACE is well placed to support forces with mission-driven innovation, in cross sector projects, to join up, de-risk and innovate, identifying and developing enablers to support the police in the future. 

    A huge thanks to the Cityforum team for another outstanding event! We look forward to the next one.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Plant Power: A New Method to Model How Plants Move Water Globally

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Earth systems models are an important tool for studying complex processes occurring around the planet, such as those in and between the atmosphere and biosphere, and they help researchers and policymakers better understand phenomena like climate change. Incorporating more data into these simulations can improve modeling accuracy; however, sometimes, this requires the arduous task of gathering millions of data points.

    Researchers, including UConn Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Assistant Professor James Knighton, Pablo Sanchez-Martinez from the University of Edinburgh, and Leander Anderegg from the University of California Santa Barbara, have developed a method to bypass the need for gathering data for over 55,000 tree species to better account for how plants influence the flow of water around the planet. Their findings are published in Nature Scientific Data.

    Plants play essential roles in Earth’s processes, from capturing carbon and making oxygen available for other life forms like humans. Plants are also responsible for the movement of water, says Knighton, where an estimated 60% of all rain is returned to the atmosphere through transpiration. This huge global-scale movement of water through plants is complex and currently represented by Earth system models (ESMs) in a simplified way says Knighton, where all plants in a region may be considered as a single entity (i.e., a plant functional type),

    “Plant Functional Types (PFTs) are used because we don’t know a lot about the details of individual plant species,” says Knighton, a faculty member in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Sciences. “It would be harder to take a detailed map of vegetation over a continent and put in all the right values for each individual species so it’s easier just to consider one generic PFT.”

    The problem with PFTs is that different plant species vary in their hydrologic traits – or how water moves through plants — and this oversimplification of such systemically influential traits could limit the effectiveness of available models to predict the future. Scientists have moved towards accounting for these differences by creating databases, like the TRY Plant Trait Database, where this information is collected. However, Knighton points out that only about 5,000 to 15,000 plant species have had their traits well-cataloged after several centuries of plant science.

    “There are around 60,000 to 70,000 tree species on Earth, meaning that after 200 years, we know maybe 5 to 10% of what’s happening,” he says. “If that were the way we would do things, it would take us another 2,000 years or so to learn about all the plants that we needed to, and at that point, climate change has set in, and it’s too late. We can’t do that. We can’t just wait for field researchers to go out and do their studies and populate this global database. It’s still incredibly useful to conduct field studies, but those alone will not get us where we need to be fast enough.”

    Knighton and his colleagues decided to address this problem and expedite the process by looking at the data for traits that are available, information like how tall a tree grows, how deep the roots descend, or how fast water flows within the plant. They then compared the history of that species and its relatedness to other species in what is called a phylogenetic test for those traits.

    “We looked to see how similar trait values are between closely related species, and the idea behind that is, if these traits are critical for their survival, evolution will have preserved the trait values, they won’t be randomly dispersed,” Knighton says. “For example, if growing deep roots was critical for a certain type of plant to survive, the species that branch off from that one will probably also have deep roots, and everything that’s in that family or that genus will have a similar root structure.”

    Graduate students Caroline Stanton (left) and Kevin Li (right) collecting samples from trees in the UConn Forest. (Contributed photo)

    The researchers performed the test for all the traits, and Knighton says they found high levels of conservation across the phylogenetic tree, which means closely related species tend to have closer trait values.

    “Then we took the phylogeny where you can take all of the plant species on Earth and map them onto each other, and show exactly how closely related each plant is to every other plant,” he says.

    Knighton says they can impute the trait data if they have the information for closely related species, meaning that this data can be inferred without having to take millions of field measurements.

    “We used different numerical machine learning techniques, and in doing that, we were able to come up with a database of these very critical tree values for 55,000 tree species on Earth,” he says. “If you want to do global modeling that includes more detail in the vegetation, which is important, you now have a starting point. You don’t have to use this generic, one plant species per continent approach, you could, in theory, try something more detailed, but putting in all the different species and seeing what happens.”

    Knighton says they consider this work to be a low-order approximation, but it is an important starting point. As more data is collected from field researchers, the data can be used to update and refine the interpolated data to improve the accuracy of this approach.

    This work is the next step in a larger project, the first step of which was a proof-of-concept experiment at a smaller, more local level. That project established this method of imputing hydrologic traits as a viable approach, and Knighton says the next step is to compare the imputed data with observational data that they are collecting in UConn Forest and from other sites around the United States.

    Knighton explains there are 10 sites across the U.S. where ample data is collected, which will serve as test cases. Knighton says master’s student Caroline Stanton ’26 is currently building ecosystem models of each site, and they are calibrating high-resolution models to estimate the traits which they will compare with data that scientists have collected over the last 20 years. Then, they will compare the estimated plant trait results with the observational data collected from the site to see how the quality of the model is impacted by each approach.

    Eventually, the researchers hope to apply the method to forested sites across the globe to study aspects of what drives traits to vary. Understanding the variation in traits across different plant species has the potential to strengthen the accuracy of models, but these data can also give insights into what drives the different traits to vary.

    Knighton says he and his colleagues hope climate modelers will find this information helpful, but they also hope it can improve our understanding of the Earth system overall, and more about the vital roles plants play,

    “Plants control our environment to an incredible degree.”

    This work is supported by the National Science Foundation (Grant numbers 2243263, 2003205, 20230833 and 2216855), Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment: Agroecosystem Management (GRANT13398847 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: The Importance of Collaboration between Statisticians and Policymakers for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    National Statistics Offices (NSOs) and Policy departments have had a long-standing relationship where the NSO prepares statistical information to help policy departments make effective policy decisions.  Often, the dialogue between NSOs and policy departments has been limited to the NSO preparing data tables or microdata files for the use of policy makers, with little real communication taking place. 

    However, the enormous amount of data and statistical information required for SDGs coupled with the complex nature of the intersectionality of the SDGs, translates into a need for policy makers and national statistics offices to collaborate and enhance communication to be able to adequately respond to the ambitious nature of the 2030 Agenda.

    This webinar will bring together policy makers and statisticians to discuss how the SDGs have given rise to a deeper level of collaboration.  It will provide opportunity to discuss what works and what does not work from those working on SDG policy and those working to provide the necessary statistics.  It will also provide space to share best practices from real experiences in different countries.

    The webinar was organized by the CES Steering Group on Statistics for SDGs in collaboration with Statistics Canada.

    Keynote speech:

    Mogens Lykketoft – Former Danish Minister of Finance, President of the United Nations General Assembly’s 70th session

    Moderator:

    Cara Williams – IAEG-SDGs Co-chair, SDG statistics focal point, Statistics Canada

    Panelists:

    Cristina Mattson Lundberg – Swedish Ministry of the Environment

    Gabriel Wikström – Sweden’s National Coordinator on the 2030 Agenda

    Viggo Barmen – Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs 

    Amit Yagur-Kroll – National focal point for SDG statistics, Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics

    Live Rognerud – SDG data focal point, Statistics Norway

    Olivier Bullion – Director SDG unit, Employment and Social Development Canada

    Renata Bielak – Director SDGs, Statistics Poland

    Presentations:
    Collaboration between statisticians and policy makers for the 2030 Agenda – Sweden

    Broadening the SDG dialogue in Poland – Poland

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Master planning and innovative financial solutions to support the implementation of the Yashil Makon initiative of the Republic of Uzbekistan

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

     

    The consultative workshop on master planning of forest restoration and afforestation in Uzbekistan was organized in on 21-22 November in Tashkent and Termez, Uzbekistan by the Ministry of Ecology, Environment Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

    The workshop was organized as part of a joint UNDP, UNECE and UNHCR project to support the successful implementation of Uzbekistan’s Yashil Makon Initiative – a nationwide program launched by the Government of Uzbekistan to expand and enhance green spaces, promote environmental stewardship, and improve the overall quality of life for citizens.

    This project focuses on integrating comprehensive master planning with innovative financial solutions and aims at providing the national framework for expanding green spaces, improving biodiversity, and promoting sustainable afforestation practices across Uzbekistan.

    The consultative workshop brought together stakeholders and national and international experts to present the objectives and outline of the Master Plan, gather feedback and ensure a collaborative approach to finalizing the document and developing a detailed roadmap for the conclusion, approval and implementation of the Master Plan.

    The workshop was complemented by a field visit to the Surkhandarya region to learn first-hand about the challenges, knowledge and lessons learned from recent and ongoing afforestation activities.

     

    Photo credit: Roman Michalak, UNECE.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –